INTRODUCTION
Saturating acid-etched axial enamel surfaces with liquid-unfilled resin to intercept decalcification progress at the beginning dental caries process is not new. Regardless o whether phosphoric or hydrochloric acid has been used for etching, this method has been called “microrestorative dentistry,” “smooth surface sealant application,” and “resin impregnation.” Currently, DMG uses the term “resin infiltration” for its product, Icon.1-8
After treating teenagers in private practice for many years, it has been observed that posterior teeth are frequently strangers to the toothbrush and dental floss in such patients. Some adolescents brush the teeth they can see in the mirror when smiling and neglect those in the back of the mouth. Buccal surfaces of first and second molars are often seen with dental plaque accumulation and the resulting decalcification and caries lesions, but other axial surfaces are also susceptible.
Two examples of teens with buccal surface lesions are pictured. In November 2006, the first patient proved to have a significant cavitated Class V caries lesion requiring resin-modified glass ionomer restoration. The restored tooth was photographed in August 2019. The other patient not only had occlusal carious grooves requiring preventive resin repair9 but also buccal surface decalcification, which was treated with a modification of the “smooth surface sealant” using Adper Prompt L Pop (3M) and ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE (Pulpdent).2,3 By pictorial essay, treatments for the affected buccal surfaces are shown (Figures 1 to 15).
DISCUSSION
Vitremer resin-modified glass-ionomer (3M) was selected for the buccal surface restoration in the first patient for several reasons: the fluoride content of the material, the material’s coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of tooth structure leading to excellent marginal integrity over time, and the resin component that makes such materials more resistant to abrasion from toothbrushing and erosion from the acidic oral environment. In addition, this material proved itself convincingly in a retrospective study of hundreds of restorations of primary teeth.10
Treatment of the decalcification in the second case was a modification of the “smooth surface sealant.”2,3 Instead of painting the etched surface only with unfilled resin bonding agent, the cured bonding agent was covered with a thin layer of ACTIVA Bio-ACTIVE material. This gives a slightly thicker fluoride-containing bonded cover for the surface, which logically would protect against toothbrushing wear and renewed decalcification. The fluoride, calcium, and phosphate content in ACTIVA could perhaps have positive influence on associated enamel. Using an unfilled bonding agent prior to placing a resin bonding sealant has been shown to be effective for the treatment of pits and fissures.13,14 The full value of bonding a filled-resin type of material to create a “reinforced” smooth surface sealant, such as shown here, would make for a worthy in vitro study in an artificial caries model.
PATIENT ONE
Figure 1. A 17-year-old patient with dental plaque accumulation on the maxillary second molar.
Figure 2. Cleoid scraping through chalky decalcification revealed cavitation.
Figure 3. After local anesthesia injection, low-speed preparation was done with round burs. Mechanical retention using a slow-speed inverted cone bur augmented the glass ionomer bond.
Figure 4. Vitremer10 resin-modified glass-ionomer restorative material was injected, light polymerized, shaped, finished, and polished.
Figure 5. Resin-modified glass ionomer repair is shown at 12 years, 10 months postoperatively, prior to dental cleaning.
PATIENT TWO
Figure 6. Second molar buccal surface decalcification in a 15-year-old patient.
Figure 7. After local infiltration anes- thesia, a retraction cord was placed.
Figure 8. Decalcified enamel was cut smooth with a slow-speed diamond.
Figure 9. A 40% phosphoric acid (Onyx LG [Centrix]) was applied for 30 seconds.
Figure 10. The surface was rinsed and dried with water/air spray. Some white decalcified enamel remained, but the surface was resistant to scraping.
Figure 11. After unfilled resin bonding agent (Adper Prompt L Pop [3M]) was applied over the surface and photo- cured, ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE (Pulpdent), shade A1, was injected and smeared in a thin layer with the side of a #23 explorer.11,12
Figure 12. The ACTIVA-covered surface was exposed to a curing light beam (1,100 mW/cm2) for 20 seconds.
Figure 13. The surface was finished and polished smooth with a succession of aluminum oxide disks (Sof-Lex [3M]).
Figure 14. After preventive resin repair of occlusal grooves, the entire crown was painted with 5% fluoride varnish.9
Figure 15. Buccal surface shown 9 months after application of “reinforced” smooth-surface sealant. The A1 shade of ACTIVA appears whiter than buccal enamel.
REFERENCES
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2. Croll TP. Bonded resin sealant for smooth surface enamel defects: new concepts in “microrestorative” dentistry. Quintessence Int. 1987;18(1):5-10.
3. Croll TP. Restorative dentistry for preschool children: Smooth surface sealants. In: Johnson D, Tinanoff N, eds. Dental Clinics of North America: Dental Care for the Preschool Child. W.B. Saunders;1995:39(4):745.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Croll is the clinic director of Cavity Busters Doylestown in Doylestown, Pa; an adjunct professor of pediatric dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry; and a clinical professor of pediatric dentistry at the Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland. He can be reached at willipus@comcast.net.
Dr. Bresler is president of Doc Bresler’s Cavity Busters, medical director at Red Lion Surgicenter, an assistant professor of pediatric dentistry at the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, and an assistant professor of pediatric dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He can be reached at drbresler@hotmail.com.
Dr. Ferretti is professor and chair of the pediatric dentistry department of the Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine and chief of dentistry at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital at Irving & Jeanne Tapper Pediatric Dental Center in Cleveland. He can be reached at gaf10@case.edu.
Disclosure: The authors report no disclosures.
