Dental health assessed after interproximal enamel reduction: caries risk in posterior teeth.

• INTRODUCTION: We investigated whether careful interdental enamel reduction (using extrafine diamond disks with air cooling, followed by contouring with triangular diamond burs and polishing) leads to increased caries risk in premolars and first molars. METHODS: Our subjects were 43 consecutive patients from 19 to 71 years of age who had received mesiodistal enamel reduction of anterior and posterior teeth 4 to 6 years previously. Dental caries were assessed on standardized bite-wing radiographs according to a 5-grade scale and with a fine-tip explorer catch. The incidence of interproximal caries was compared between reproximated and unground contralateral surfaces in the same patient. Patients were asked about their toothbrushing habits, use of dental floss and toothpicks, and regular fluoride supplementation after the orthodontic appliances were removed. RESULTS: The overall clinical impression generally showed healthy dentitions with excellent occlusion. Only 7 (2.5%) new caries lesions (all grade 1) were found among 278 reproximated mesial or distal surfaces, in 3 patients. Among 84 contralateral unground reference tooth surfaces, 2 lesions (2.4%) were seen. On nonpaired premolars and molars that had not been ground, 23 surfaces had to be referred for caries treatment (grade 3 or occlusal caries). Eleven of these occurred in 1 patient. None of the 43 patients reported increased sensitivity to temperature variations. CONCLUSIONS: Interdental enamel reduction with this protocol did not result in increased caries risk in posterior teeth. We found no evidence that proper mesiodistal enamel reduction within recognized limits and in appropriate situations will cause harm to the teeth and supporting structures.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult

Aged

Air Abrasion

Dental

instrumentation

methods

Bicuspid

pathology

Cariostatic Agents

therapeutic use

Dental Caries

radiography

Dental Caries Susceptibility

Dental Debonding

Dental Devices

Home Care

Dental Enamel

pathology

Diamond

Female

Fluorides

therapeutic use

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Male

Malocclusion

therapy

Middle Aged

Molar

pathology

Orthodontic Brackets

Radiography

Bitewing

Risk Factors

Toothbrushing

Young Adult

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)