Long-term follow-up of inactive occlusal caries lesions: 4-5-year results.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical behavior of inactive caries lesion on the occlusal sites of permanent molars over 4-5 years and to estimate the risk for progression of caries-inactive sites compared with sound ones.


METHODS
Clinical examinations were conducted at baseline (n = 258) and after 4-5 years and included the recording of dental plaque and dental caries at the occlusal surfaces and the eruption stage of each permanent molar.


RESULTS
One hudred ninety-three schoolchildren were followed (response rate of 74.8%), totalizing 1152 teeth. Of the children, 30.6% (n = 59) presented at least one molar containing an active lesion, filling, or that had been extracted; according to the activity criterion, inactive lesions presented around a twofold increased risk for caries progression than sound surfaces (OR = 2.34 95%CI = 1.51-3.62). Thirteen percent (n = 25) of the children presented at least one molar progressing to dentine cavity, filling, or extraction; according to the severity criterion, inactive caries lesions presented a significantly higher risk for progression when compared with sound surfaces (OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.50-4.83).


CONCLUSION
The vast majority of lesions (85-90%) identified as inactive enamel caries at baseline did not progress over 4-5 years. Despite this fact, it was possible to detect an increased risk for caries progression in caries-inactive occlusal sites compared with the sound ones.


CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Considering the low progression rates, inactive caries lesions do not need a specific caries-controlling treatment and should be monitored longitudinally in the same manner as sound surfaces.
['Zenkner|J E A|JEA|http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0302-4449', 'Dalla Nora|A|A|', 'Alves|L S|LS|', 'Carvalho|J|J|', 'Wagner|M B|MB|', 'Maltz|M|M|']
D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D004245:DMF Index D003731:Dental Caries D019229:Dentition, Permanent D018450:Disease Progression D005260:Female D005500:Follow-Up Studies D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008963:Molar D012307:Risk Factors
Molar Risk Dental caries Disease progression Permanent dentition