Does treating proximal cavities in primary molars non-restoratively affect intra-arch space and alignment of successor teeth negatively? A 4-year longitudinal study.

Background: Removing plaque with toothbrush and toothpaste from proximal cavities in primary molars without restoring them follows sound cariological principles. But does this treatment affect space for and alignment of their permanent successors negatively?

Hypothesis: There is no difference in impaction and displacement of the premolars, as well as in the D+E space in quadrants with three different statuses of the proximal surface of primary molars over a 4-year period.

Methods: A total of 936 quadrants (466 maxillary and 470 mandibular quadrants) in 233 children were assessed.

Impact of proximal cavities and primary molar absence on space in the dental arches.

Background: A recently proposed treatment protocol for dental caries in primary teeth, called Ultra Conservative Treatment (UCT), keeps medium to large cavities open so that children can keep them clean with tooth brushing and fluoride toothpaste. However, carious lesions have been related to malocclusion and decrease of space for the eruption of the permanent successor.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated dental casts of 235 schoolchildren, aged 6-7 years old of six public schools in deprived suburban areas, and with at least two cavitated dentin carious lesions.

Cavity treatment in primary molars and malocclusion: quasi-randomised clinical trial.

Background: An innovative caries treatment protocol for primary teeth, termed Ultra-Conservative Treatment (UCT), restores small cavities through the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) protocol and cleans medium to large open cavities with toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. However, UCT-treated primary molars were found to exfoliate earlier than amalgam (CRT) and ART-restored cavities, which may lead to unacceptable loss of space for normal eruption of permanent successors. The null-hypothesis tested was that there is no difference between the three treatment protocols and the intra-arch distances, and index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) after 4 years.