Correlation of caries susceptibility with different means of tooth surface and patients' oral hygiene habits after interproximal enamel reduction in clinical practice

Abstract

Objective To explore the correlation of caries susceptibility of patients with the immediate tooth polish, application of fluoride, and the patients' oral hygiene habits after interproximal enamel reduction (IER) in clinical practice. Methods The present study retrospectively collected 45 cases of IER (18 males and 27 females) in 196 tooth sites. Each sample was examined clinically and radiologically to obtain the incidence of caries, and the outcome was correlated with amount of IER, tooth polish, application of fluoride, and the brushing method and frequency for statistical analysis. Results The present study showed that there was no statistical significance among the amount of IER, the site of IER, the patients' brushing method, and the gender with the susceptibility of caries. However, there was statistical significance among the application of fluoride, tooth polish and brushing frequency with the susceptibility of caries. Conclusions The current research suggests that it is desirable to polish tooth and apply fluoride for patients with IER in clinical practices. In the meanwhile, the clinician should pay attention to patients' oral hygiene habits, especially brushing frequency, due to the positive correlation between the brushing frequency and incidence of caries. Key words: Interproximal enamel reduction; Fluoride; Tooth polish; Susceptibility of caries; Tooth brushing