Is there an acceptable surrogate for caries clinical trials? Evidence from a systematic review of primary studies.

Background: There is currently a lack of evidence supporting the use of valid surrogates in caries clinical trials. This study aimed at examining the validity of two surrogate outcomes used in randomized clinical trials for caries prevention, pit and fissure sealants and fluoridated dentifrices, according to the Prentice criteria.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), LILACS and Scopus databases up to 05 October 2022.

Influence of two caries detection strategies on the quality of life of preschool children: An analysis of secondary outcomes of a 2-Year randomized clinical trial.

Objective: This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the influence of two caries diagnosis strategies, and subsequent management, on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschoolers. Additionally, the association of the OHRQoL outcomes with the clinician-centred primary outcome used in the main study was also explored.

Materials And Methods: This study refers to the OHRQoL secondary outcomes analyses of the so-called RCT 'CARDEC-1'.

Clinical Accuracy of Two Different Criteria for the Detection of Caries Lesions around Restorations in Primary Teeth.

This is a delayed-type cross-sectional prospective accuracy study nested in a randomized clinical trial. The aim was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of two visual criteria for caries lesions detection around restorations in primary teeth: the International Dental Federation (FDI) criteria, considering adaptation, staining, and the presence of caries, and the Caries Associated with Restorations and Sealants (CARS) system. For this, one examiner made the diagnosis and subsequent treatment decision using visual assessment in 163 children (3-10 years old) with both FDI and CARS criteria.

The economic impact of two diagnostic strategies in the management of restorations in primary teeth: a health economic analysis plan for a trial-based economic evaluation.

Background: Different approaches have been used by dentists to base their decision. Among them, there are the aesthetical issues that may lead to more interventionist approaches. Indeed, using a more interventionist strategy (the World Dental Federation - FDI), more replacements tend to be indicated than using a minimally invasive one (based on the Caries Around Restorations and Sealants-CARS).

Survival rate of primary molar restorations is not influenced by hand mixed or encapsulated GIC: 24 months RCT.

Background: Glass ionomer cements (GIC) have been considered the top option to restore primary teeth by dentists. The most common supply forms are hand mixed and encapsulated GIC. There is a lack of information about the impact of different GIC supply forms on restoration survival.

The effect of two clinical criteria in the assessment of caries lesions around restorations in children (CARDEC-03): study protocol for a diagnostic randomized clinical trial.

The detection of caries lesions around restoration can be challenging. Therefore, the use of some criteria has been proposed in order to give more objectivity to the diagnosis process. Two of them are the International Dental Federation (FDI) and the Caries Associated with Restorations and Sealants (CARS) criteria.

How can we associate an economic evaluation with a clinical trial?

Economic evaluations in Dentistry have been increasing in recent years. They are a relevant contribution if an economic issue exists. Knowing if a new intervention is an efficient way of allocating available (and scarce) resources (the concept of opportunity costs), a well-designed economic evaluation may be helpful.

Influence of different clinical criteria on the decision to replace restorations in primary teeth.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study is nested in a randomized clinical trial. It was designed to evaluate the influence of using two different clinical criteria to assess caries lesion around restorations on the decision to replace restorations in primary posterior teeth. Variables that might influence this decision were also considered.

Clinical performance of fluorescence-based methods for detection of occlusal caries lesions in primary teeth.

We aimed to investigate the performance of fluorescence-based methods (FBMs), compared to visual inspection after histological validation, in detecting and assessing the activity status of occlusal carious lesions in primary teeth. One examiner evaluated 50 primary molars close to exfoliation in 24 children. Teeth were assessed using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) and pen-type laser fluorescence (LFpen).

Association between quantitative measures obtained using fluorescence-based methods and activity status of occlusal caries lesions in primary molars.

Background: Fluorescence-based methods (FBM) can add objectiveness to diagnosis strategy for caries. Few studies, however, have focused on the evaluation of caries activity.

Aim: To evaluate the association between quantitative measures obtained with FBM, clinical parameters acquired from the patients, caries detection, and assessment of activity status in occlusal surfaces of primary molars.

Impact of the radiographic examination on diagnosis and treatment decision of caries lesions in primary teeth--the Caries Detection in Children (CARDEC-01) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although most clinical guidelines throughout the world indicate that clinicians take two bitewings for detecting caries lesions in primary molars of all children, evidence for this recommendation is essentially based on cross-sectional studies performed in laboratory settings or using convenience samples. The benefits and impact of performing radiographs on diagnosis and treatment decision of caries lesions in primary teeth, mainly considering relevant outcomes for patients, have not been evaluated yet. Thus, the aim of this randomized clinical trial will be to evaluate the impact of performing radiographic examination adjunct to the visual inspection for detecting and making treatment decision regarding caries lesions in primary teeth compared with visual inspection performed alone.