Preventive effects by intensive restorative treatment against caries in children.

Abstract

The caries preventive effect of intensive treatment of existing caries was studied in children less than 7 years old living in a district without a dentist. The methods consisted of intensive restorative treatment provided by a pediatric dentist in three stages as follows: Stage I (n=70), two years before initiation of intensive treatment; Stage II (n=80), at initiation of long-term intensive treatment, and Stage III (n=92) three years after initiation of intensive dental treatments. The results were that experience and severity of dental caries and secondary caries rates were significantly lower in stage III than in stage I or II in six year olds. Between-meal consumption of snacks containing sugar and plaque prevalence both were less in stage III than in others. In conclusion, intensive treatment of caries in young children was associated with prevention both primary and secondary caries.