Influence of rubber dam on objective and subjective parameters of stress during dental treatment of children and adolescents - a randomized controlled clinical pilot study

The effect of rubber dam on objective and subjective parameters of stress during dental treatment in children: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Several pediatric dentists avoid using rubber dam, arguing that it may increase stress for young patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of rubber dam on the subjective and objective stress in children and effects of preferred anesthesia methods during use of the rubber dam.

METHODS

A total of 100 children participated in this study. The selected site of the patients divided cotton roll and rubber dam application group, and the rubber dam group divided also two subgroups as topical and infiltration anesthesia application. Objective parameters of stress of the patients and pulse rate of the operator were measured at three different time points. Pain perception was also evaluated subjectively.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of both isolation method and anesthesia preference (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the three-time points in both the cotton roll and the rubber dam group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that rubber dam isolation is not stressful for child patients and dentist compared to the cotton roll technique. EMLA cream is suitable but less comfortable in reducing the pain and discomfort caused by rubber dam placement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under the registration number NCT06779448 on January 16, 2025.

Comparative Evaluation of Ease of Operator and Patient Acceptability Using the Traditional Isolation System vs a New Isolation Tool (Intraoral Cheek and Lip Retractor Mouth Opener Tool)

Isolation plays an important role in dentistry. It is mandatory to maintain isolation during various dental treatments. A simple new isolation tool (intraoral cheek and lip retractor mouth opener tool) is available, which is a multipurpose tool. The need for the study was to evaluate the functionality of the new isolation tool.

Aim

The aim of the study was to compare the traditional isolation method with the new isolation tool. A questionnaire pattern was adopted for the present study. The study was then conducted to evaluate the patient acceptability and ease of access for the operator.

Materials and methods

A total 200 pediatric patients were included in the study; they were divided into two groups. Group I-isolation with the new isolation tool, group II-isolation with cotton rolls and a mouth mirror. A structured questionnaire was given to the operators to evaluate the ease of use of the new isolation tool. A Likert scale was provided to the patients to evaluate the comfort of the new isolation tool during various treatments.

Result

Statistical analysis shows significant results by obtaining the p-value < 0.05.

Conclusion

The study clearly shows that the new isolation tool is a better option in terms of retracting soft tissue, keeping the mouth open, and maintaining isolation.

Clinical significance

This new tool helps in the retraction of soft tissue as well as isolation, and it also keeps the mouth open.

How to cite this article

Chauhan KM, Sodani V, Sharma DJ, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Ease of Operator and Patient Acceptability Using the Traditional Isolation System vs a New Isolation Tool (Intraoral Cheek and Lip Retractor Mouth Opener Tool). Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(6):637-640.

The use of DryShield versus rubber dam isolation systems among pediatric patients with different airway patency: A randomized clinical trial

Objectives

This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the impact of DryShield isolation (DSI) and rubber dam isolation (RDI) system usage on vital signs, behavior, pain and discomfort, and chairside time required among children with different airway patencies based on the Modified Mallampati Classification (MMC).

Material and methods

Healthy, cooperative children who required fissure sealant in at least two contralateral, fully erupted, permanent first molars were included. Airway patency was determined by two trained and calibrated dentists using the MMC. The participants were categorized based on their MMC scores into patent airways (classes I and II) and non-patent airways (classes III and IV). The dental procedure was videotaped during treatment, and vital signs, including arterial oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure, were recorded every 3 min. The participants' subjective pain and discomfort were evaluated using a previously validated Arabic interview questionnaire and a validated Arabic version of the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. The participants' behavior and behavioral pain were evaluated utilizing the Frankl Behavior Scale and the face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability scales, respectively.

Results

There were no significant differences in any of the vital signs between DSI and RDI. DSI use yielded a significant reduction in chairside time (P < 0.001) and was more bothersome (P < 0.001) than RDI use among all participants, regardless of airway patency. DSI was associated with significantly better behavior during the dental procedure (P = 0.002) and less behavioral pain (P < 0.001) among all participants, regardless of airway patency.

Conclusion

Irrespective of airway patency, DSI outperformed RDI in terms of behavior, pain, and procedure duration; however, DSI was characterized by noise, pressure on soft tissues, and an increased tendency to induce gag reflexes.

The Impact of Rubber Dam Association With Physiological Stress Parameters on Children of 7-10 Years Undergoing Pit and Fissure Sealant Treatment: An In-Vivo Study

Introduction Anxiety is an emotion representing apprehension towards an unknown stimulus or situation. Rubber dam application during dental procedures in children makes the treatment more comfortable and acceptable as it gives them a psychological feeling that treatment is being carried out outside the oral cavity. The prime objective of this study was to evaluate and compare physiological parameters, which include pulse rate, arterial oxygen saturation level, blood pressure, and respiratory rate before and after rubber dam isolation. Material and methods The study consisted of 30 children patients of 7-10 years, comprised of 14 females and 16 males with a mean age of 8.15 ± 0.93 years. The study was a 'split mouth' clinical design study, where 60 sites in 30 patients (two sites in each patient) were used. The selected sites were divided into two groups by a convenience sampling method and were categorized as Group-I (control group - 30 sites were treated with pit and fissure sealants under cotton roll and saliva ejectors on mandibular right permanent first molar) and Group-II (study group - 30 sites were treated with pit and fissure sealants underrubber dam isolation on mandibular left permanent first molar). Results Rubber dam application reduced different physiological parameters of stress such as pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate at different intervals from the baseline values. Rubber dam and cotton roll applications have no significant effects on oxygen saturation levels at different intervals in healthy individuals. From statistical analysis, it was evident that a statistically significant difference was evident between the control and experimental groups (P value < 0.005). Conclusion It is confirmed in this study that rubber dam reduces different physiologic parameters of stress. After the application of the rubber dam, children's pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate were reduced. Clinical significance The study highlights the imperative role of rubber dam isolation in improving dental and medical effectiveness. In addendum to this, our research promotes the clinical use of rubber dams in pediatric dentistry.

Evaluation of child's behavior during the pit and fissure sealant administration using the rubber dam and MiniDam: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease that manifests itself in primary and permanent dentitions. Pit and fissure sealants have become the most effective noninvasive treatment for addressing teeth with deep pits and fissures in children. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the behavior of the child when administering the pit and fissure sealant using the rubber dam and MiniDam.

METHODOLOGY

Fifty-two children in the age range of 9-12 years were randomly allocated into two groups: Group I, rubber dam and Group II, MiniDam. The children were randomly assigned into two groups with 26 members in Group 1 (rubber dam isolation) and 26 members in Group 2 (MiniDam isolation). Children's anxiety was assessed using the modified Venham scale and heart rate. The children's pain intensity was assessed using Memojis Pain Scale. The data collected were tabulated and statistically analyzed using SPSS software. The level of significance was established at 0.05.

RESULTS

Intergroup comparison of heart rates showed a statistically significant difference for both the groups at various intervals (P value 0.05), that is, before placing the dam, with the dam, and during treatment. Pain and anxiety scores showed a statistically significant difference in both the groups before and after the procedure (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of MiniDam can offer a better option for the pit/fissure sealant procedure due to its unique qualities, including simplicity of placement, improved behavior management, and less chair time in children.

The use of rubber dam in the survival of RMGIC restorations in primary molars: a 30-month randomized controlled clinical trial

This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial with two parallel arms and the objective was to compare the survival of resin modified glass ionomer (RMGIC) restorations in primary teeth using rubber dam or cotton roll isolation after a 30-month follow-up period. Ninety-two children (mean age 6.8 ± 1.37) and 200 primary molars with occlusal or occluso-proximal cavitated dentin caries lesions were randomly assigned into two groups: cotton rolls and rubber dam. All lesions were restored using RMGIC (RIVA Light Cure) after selective caries removal. Restorative failure and lesion arrestment were evaluated by two independent, trained, and calibrated examiners through clinical and radiographic examinations. The Kaplan-Meier test was used to assess the survival of restorations and Cox regression was used to assess the association of risk factors with restorative failure. There was no significant difference in survival rates between groups (p = 0.17). Older age (HR = 2.81 [95%CI: 1.47-5.44]) and higher rate of gingival bleeding (HR = 0.47 [95%CI: 0.23-0.99]) were associated with restorative failure. No patient had painful symptoms, pulp outcomes, or radiographic changes compatible with lesion progression. The use of rubber dam isolation did not increase the survival rate of occlusal and occluso-proximal restorations using RMGIC in primary molars after 30 months of follow-up. Since the survival is not influenced by the type of isolation, the professional can safely choose the appropriate technique for each case, considering his experience and preferences, as well as those of the patient.

Evaluation of Anxiety Levels in Children While Using Rubber Dam and OptraDam Isolation Techniques

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the anxiety levels in children while using rubber dam and OptraDam isolation techniques.

Materials and methods

This study was a crossover trial conducted on 27 selected 6-12-year-old children. The procedure of placement of either of the isolation techniques was told and demonstrated using audiovisual aid. The sequence of the proceedings on each child (rubber dam or OptraDam) was determined randomly using toss of coin. Second demonstration was carried out 7 days after the first demonstration. The anxiety experienced was recorded using Venham's anxiety scale at two time points-after verbal explanation and after the audiovisual demonstration. The study also objectively assessed the anxiety by measuring the salivary malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of two patients.

Results

When mean values of Venham's anxiety scores after verbal explanation and after audiovisual demonstration were compared for each of the two techniques using paired Student's t test, there was statistically significant decrease in the anxiety score following audiovisual demonstration in both the techniques. When the scores between two groups after verbal explanation and after audiovisual demonstration were compared using repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA), the reported anxiety scores were significantly lesser for the OptraDam technique (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Audiovisual demonstration reduced the anxiety of children when compared to verbal explanation for both isolation techniques. OptraDam isolation was found to be less anxiety generating in children compared to rubber dam isolation.

Clinical significance

When using modern adhesive techniques, a good isolation of the working field is an important requirement for better prognosis. OptraDam being the latest addition to the rubber dam family, if found to be more children friendly can solve majority of the problems related to isolation in pediatric dentistry.

How to cite this article

S Mahima, YM Karuna, Shenoy R, et al. Evaluation of Anxiety Levels in Children while using Rubber Dam and OptraDam Isolation Techniques. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):287-291.

Behavior of Children during Dental Care with Rubber Dam Isolation: A Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

The establishment of the dental dam improves dentist working conditions and patient protection. The purpose of this study was to analyze the behavior of the child during dental care with or without a dam.

METHODS

In this interventional randomized study, 51 patients are divided into two groups, one with a rubber dam and the other with cotton roll isolation. Their behavior was observed during the treatment of temporary molars. The duration of the treatment, the patient's feeling with a visual analogue scale (VAS), the behavior (B) of the child measured with a hetero-evaluation scale (modified Venham scale) and the cardiac frequency (CF) were measured.

RESULTS

The group treated with a rubber dam has a significant decrease in the various stress parameters that have been identified (B, p value = 0.034; CF, p value = 0.015). Subgroups of patients with and without nitrous oxide sedation were compared and similar results were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

Isolation with a rubber dam reduces child's stress during dental care. Although it is slightly more time-consuming and training is necessary for a quick and effective placement, it allows dentists to perform dental care in the best possible conditions, while reducing dental anxiety in young patients.

Clinical effectiveness of direct resin composite restorations bonded using one-step or two-step self-etch adhesive systems: A three-year multicenter study

The purpose of this multicenter clinical study was to compare the mid-term clinical effectiveness of direct resin composite restorations using one-step or two-step self-etch adhesives (1-SEAs or 2-SEAs). In total, 352 restorations of class I-V cavities and non-carious cervical lesions in vital teeth (1-SEAs; 52 cases, 2-SEAs; 300 cases) were placed at nine university hospitals and evaluated according to the modified USPHS criteria at baseline, and after 1, 2, and 3 years. The recall rates were 86.6% (1 year), 80.1% (2 years), and 62.2% (3 years). Two restorations failed due to fracture during the follow-up, and there was no significant difference in survival rates between 1-SEAs (97.6%) and 2-SEAs (99.4%). However, 2-SEAs exhibited significantly lower occurrences of discoloration, marginal discoloration, fracture, and plaque retention. Moreover, the subjects reported a significantly lower postoperative hypersensitivity and higher overall satisfaction at all evaluation periods if 2-SEAs were used.

Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients

BACKGROUND

The effective control of moisture and microbes is necessary for the success of restoration procedures. The rubber dam, as an isolation method, has been widely used in dental restorative treatments. The effects of rubber dam usage on the longevity and quality of dental restorations still require evidence-based discussion. This review compares the effects of rubber dam with other isolation methods in dental restorative treatments. This is an update of the Cochrane Review first published in 2016.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of rubber dam isolation compared with other types of isolation used for direct and indirect restorative treatments in dental patients.

SEARCH METHODS

Cochrane Oral Health's Information specialist searched the following electronic databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register (searched 13 January 2021), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2020, Issue 12) in the Cochrane Library (searched 13 January 2021), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 13 January 2021), Embase Ovid (1980 to 13 January 2021), LILACS BIREME Virtual Health Library (Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information database; 1982 to 13 January 2021), and SciELO BIREME Virtual Health Library (1998 to 13 January 2021). We also searched Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM, in Chinese) (1978 to 13 January 2021), VIP database (in Chinese) (1989 to 13 January 2021), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, in Chinese) (1994 to 13 January 2021). We searched ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, OpenGrey, and Sciencepaper Online (in Chinese) for ongoing trials. There were no restrictions on the language or date of publication when searching the electronic databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (including split-mouth trials) over one month in length assessing the effects of rubber dam compared with alternative isolation methods for dental restorative treatments.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened the results of the electronic searches, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Disagreement was resolved by discussion. We strictly followed Cochrane's statistical guidelines and assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We included six studies conducted worldwide between 2010 and 2015 involving a total of 1342 participants (of which 233 participants were lost to follow-up). All the included studies were at high risk of bias. Five studies compared rubber dam with traditional cotton rolls isolation. One study was excluded from the analysis due to inconsistencies in the presented data. Of the four remaining trials, three reported survival rates of the restorations with a minimum follow-up of six months. Pooled results from two studies involving 192 participants indicated that the use of rubber dam isolation may increase the survival rates of direct composite restorations of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) at six months (odds ratio (OR) 2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05 to 4.99; low-certainty evidence). However, the use of rubber dam in NCCLs composite restorations may have little to no effect on the survival rates of the restorations compared to cotton rolls at 12 months (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.45 to 4.28; 1 study, 30 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and at 18 months (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.45 to 2.25; 1 study, 30 participants; very low-certainty evidence) but the evidence is very uncertain. At 24 months, the use of rubber dam may decrease the risk of failure of the restorations in children undergoing proximal atraumatic restorative treatment in primary molars but the evidence is very uncertain (hazard ratio (HR) 0.80, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.97; 1 study, 559 participants; very low-certainty evidence). None of the included studies mentioned adverse effects or reported the direct cost of the treatment.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review found some low-certainty evidence that the use of rubber dam in dental direct restorative treatments may lead to a lower failure rate of the restorations compared with cotton roll usage after six months. At other time points, the evidence is very uncertain. Further high-quality research evaluating the effects of rubber dam usage on different types of restorative treatments is required.

Assessment of dental anxiety in children between 5 and 10 years of age in the presence of a therapy dog: a randomized controlled clinical study

PURPOSE

Children are often afraid to visit a dentist. Dental anxiety is a worldwide issue and a barrier to successful treatment outcome. Pet therapy, especially through dogs, has been demonstrated to be beneficial in reducing anxiety. In today's generation, where dopamine is prevalent, attention is hijacked, and children are tethered to screens-this research on animal-assisted therapy outlines the impact on children undergoing simple dental procedures, and to evaluate its use in long-term behavior management, and child and parental acceptance of this technique.

METHODS

One hundred and two children between five and 10 years of age and requiring simple dental procedures were selected randomly and divided into two groups. In Group A, dental treatment was carried out in the presence of a therapy dog, and in Group B (the control group), dental treatment was carried out in a regular dental setup. Anxiety levels were evaluated by pulse rate and anxiety rating scale. Prior to exiting the room, the parents were asked to rate the child's interaction with therapy dogs.

RESULTS

According to an independent t test, reduction in anxiety was highly significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Animal-assisted therapy is an effective behavior management strategy.

Rubber Dam Isolation Survey (RDIS) for adhesive restorative treatments

INTRODUCTION

Rubber dam isolation is considered as an essential component of modern adhesive dentistry. However, dental students do not always use it due to several barriers they face on their clinical practice. The aim of this study was to design and validate a questionnaire based on the COM-B model to measure students' implementation of rubber dam isolation in restorative treatments with adhesive materials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 7-item questionnaire was developed based on the COM-B model, with questions measuring the Capability, Opportunity (Relevance and Resources), and Motivation to perform rubber dam isolation (Behaviour). Content validation of the questionnaire was conducted by experts in aesthetic/restorative dentistry that assessed the clarity, coherence and relevance of the questions. The final survey was administered to a dental student population from three large private universities in the Dominican Republic. Descriptive analysis, t tests, polychoric correlations and a path analysis were carried out to establish the validity of the instrument.

RESULTS

A total of 382 students from three universities completed the questionnaire. According to the COM-B path model, the significant predictors of the implementation of rubber dam isolation were Capability and Motivation for University A, Motivation and Opportunity-Resources for University B, and Opportunity-Relevance and Capability for University C.

CONCLUSIONS

The RDIS is a very short, easy to administer and valid questionnaire that can be applied by the universities to determine where they need to focus their interventions to achieve better rubber dam isolation implementation by their students.

Influence of artificial saliva contamination on adhesion in class V restorations

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of artificial saliva contamination on a glass ionomer cement (GIC), a resin-modified GIC (RMGIC), and a composite resin (CR) that was used with two different etching adhesive systems. Three surface conditions were created on bovine teeth using artificial saliva: control (group I), mild saliva contamination (group II), and severe saliva contamination (group III). The microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of CR with dentin was significantly lower in group III than in group I. However, the μTBS of GIC and RMGIC with both enamel and dentin showed no significant intergroup differences. Moreover, CR exhibited significantly greater microleakage on cementum in group III than in group I, whereas both GIC and RMGIC showed no significant differences for both enamel and cementum. Thus, GIC and RMGIC may be suitable for preventing secondary caries after class V restorative treatments when contamination by saliva cannot be avoided.

Stimuli involved in dental anxiety: What are patients afraid of?: A descriptive study

BACKGROUND

Dental anxiety is a psychological response inducing aversion following a dental ill-defined stimulus, non-imminent and perceived as potentially dangerous. It is better to intervene during childhood than to resolve in adulthood when dental anxiety is more settled.

AIM

The purpose of this study is to determine the nature of dental anxiety-provoking stimuli in young patients.

DESIGN

A questionnaire was submitted to 566 children between 3 to 18 years in health institutions and schools in Brussels, Belgium. The items were divided into 3 groups: environment (ENV), local anaesthesia (LA), and intervention (INT) and summarized through averaging per group. Descriptive analysis and non-parametric testing were combined with logistic regression after discretization, above mild, for the group averages.

RESULTS

About 7.2% of the respondents expressed high to severe dental anxiety. Several items presented a clear bimodal distribution dividing the population in fearless and fearing patients, for example, sight and feel of the syringe, sight and taste of blood and extraction. Others presented with a gradually lower incidence with increasing fear level. Fear for the environment was generally low. Gender and ethnic origin contribute significantly to the prediction of fear caused by LA. For fear caused by INT, first the place of questioning enters the models, thereafter follow: negative experience, frequency of dental visit, and gender (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

While the dental environment is in general not causing fear, the invasive part of the anaesthesia and the invasive dental procedures are involved. Fear seems to be related to culture, previous experience, and gender.

Rubber dam isolation for restorative treatment in dental patients

BACKGROUND

Successful restorations in dental patients depend largely on the effective control of moisture and microbes during the procedure. The rubber dam technique has been one of the most widely used isolation methods in dental restorative treatments. The evidence on the effects of rubber dam usage on the longevity of dental restorations is conflicting. Therefore, it is important to summarise the available evidence to determine the effects of this method.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of rubber dam isolation compared with other types of isolation used for direct and indirect restorative treatments in dental patients.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following electronic databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register (searched 17 August 2016), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 7) in the Cochrane Library (searched 17 August 2016), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 17 August 2016), Embase Ovid (1980 to 17 August 2016), LILACS BIREME Virtual Health Library (Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information database; 1982 to 17 August 2016), SciELO BIREME Virtual Health Library (1998 to 17 August 2016), Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM, in Chinese) (1978 to 30 August 2016), VIP (in Chinese) (1989 to 30 August 2016), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, in Chinese) (1994 to 30 August 2016). We searched ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, OpenGrey and Sciencepaper Online (in Chinese) for ongoing trials. There were no restrictions on the language or date of publication when searching the electronic databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (including split-mouth trials) assessing the effects of rubber dam isolation for restorative treatments in dental patients.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened the results of the electronic searches, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. We resolved disagreement by discussion.

MAIN RESULTS

We included four studies that analysed 1270 participants (among which 233 participants were lost to follow-up). All the included studies were at high risk of bias. We excluded one trial from the analysis due to inconsistencies in the presented data.The results indicated that dental restorations had a significantly higher survival rate in the rubber dam isolation group compared to the cotton roll isolation group at six months in participants receiving composite restorative treatment of non-carious cervical lesions (risk ratio (RR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04 to 1.37, very low-quality evidence). It also showed that the rubber dam group had a lower risk of failure at two years in children undergoing proximal atraumatic restorative treatment in primary molars (hazard ratio (HR) 0.80, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.97, very low-quality evidence). One trial reported limited data showing that rubber dam usage during fissure sealing might shorten the treatment time. None of the included studies mentioned adverse effects or reported the direct cost of the treatment, or the level of patient acceptance/satisfaction. There was also no evidence evaluating the effects of rubber dam usage on the quality of the restorations.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found some very low-quality evidence, from single studies, suggesting that rubber dam usage in dental direct restorative treatments may lead to a lower failure rate of the restorations, compared with the failure rate for cotton roll usage. Further high quality research evaluating the effects of rubber dam usage on different types of restorative treatments is required.

Effect of artificial saliva contamination on adhesion of dental restorative materials

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of artificial saliva contamination on three restorative materials, namely, a glass ionomer cement (GIC), a resin-modified GIC (RMGIC), and a composite resin (CR), for which two different etching adhesive systems were used. Thus, three surface conditions were created on bovine teeth using artificial saliva: control, mild saliva contamination, and severe saliva contamination. The dentin bond strength for CR was significantly lower after artificial saliva contamination. There were, however, no significant differences among the three surface conditions in terms of the dentin and enamel bond strengths of GIC and RMGIC. Moreover, CR exhibited significantly greater microleakage after artificial saliva contamination, whereas no significant differences were found in GIC and RMGIC. The results showed that artificial saliva contamination did not affect the shear bond strengths of GIC and RMGIC or their degrees of microleakage.

Children's discomfort may vary among different treatments for initial approximal caries lesions: preliminary findings of a randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Longer and more complex dental procedures could negatively affect patient's acceptability of minimal invasive techniques.

AIMS AND METHODS

Therefore, this short communication aims to show the preliminary findings regarding children's discomfort reported after some minimal invasive treatments in treating initial caries lesions on approximal surfaces: flossing instruction, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application and caries resin infiltration.

RESULTS

Children allocated in the infiltration group showed higher levels of discomfort than those in the SDF and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the simplest interventions for approximal initial caries lesions cause less discomfort for children and should be applied where possible.