Effect of quarterly treatments with a chlorhexidine and a fluoride varnishon approximal caries in caries-susceptible teenagers: A 3-year clinical study

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two different dental var nishes on approximal caries incidence in teenagers with proven caries susce ptibility during a 3-year period. Two hundred 13- to 14-year-old subjects e xhibiting at least two approximal enamel caries lesions were selected to ta ke part in the study. One hundred and eighty subjects participated after in formed consent and were randomly assigned to two equally sized groups. One group was treated with a fluoride varnish (FV, Fluor Protector) containing 0.1% F every 3rd month and the participants of the other group were treated in the same mode with a chlorhexidine varnish (CV, Cervitec(R)) containing 1% chlorhexidine and 1% thymol. In total, each subject was treated 12 time s during the experimental period. Approximal caries including enamel lesion s (DMFSappr) were recorded from four bitewing radiographs exposed at the st art and end of the study. The mean (+/-SD) caries prevalence at baseline wa s 2.2+/-3.4 in the FV group and 2.5+/-4.0 in the CV group. After 3 years, t he average approximal caries incidence was 2.7+/-3.1 and 3.1+/-3.5 in the F V and CV groups, respectively. The differences at baseline and after 3 year s were not statistically significant. In conclusion, treatments every 3rd m onth with either a fluoride- or a chlorhexidine/thymol-containing varnish s howed a promising effect with low approximal caries incidence and progressi on in teenagers with proven caries susceptibility. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Ka rger AG, Basel.