COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ARRESTING PROXIMAL CARIES IN PRIMARY MOLARS WITH RESIN INFILTRATION AND SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Introduction: Proximal caries are considered as a challenge to control in primary molars. Resin infiltration and silver diamine fluoride are non-invasive measures to arrest proximal caries. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare arrest of proximal caries in primary molars between resin infiltration and silver diamine fluoride. The secondary objective is to assess any difference in dental anxiety experienced by the patient during both treatment approaches. Methods: A split mouth randomized controlled trial included forty children aged 4 to 10 years with a total of 140 primary molars in both maxillary and mandibular arches. The study population was randomly divided into two groups: Group A – Resin infiltration and Group B - SDF with the help of computer assisted randomization. Follow up evaluation was done at 6 and 12 months using standardized bitewing radiographs. Dental anxiety was evaluated using items from Faces version of Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDASf) questionnaire. The values were then statistical analyzed using Chi square test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between resin infiltration and silver diamine fluoride in arrest of proximal carious lesions (p =0.269). The comparison between resin infiltration and silver diamine fluoride of dental anxiety showed that children were significantly more anxious after the resin infiltration procedure (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Resin infiltration and silver diamine fluoride are both efficacious in arresting proximal carious lesions in primary molars although children experienced more anxiety after the resin infiltration procedure.