Caries
Nikki R. Crislip, DMD
Pediatric Dental Resident
NYU Langone
NYU Langone
Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States
Aleksandra R. Dragojevic, DDS
NYU Lutheran Dental Medicine, Brooklyn, NY
Nathanael R. Harrison, DMD
NYU Lutheran Dental Medicine, Brooklyn, NY
Chauncey R. Hensley, DMD
NYU Lutheran Dental Medicine, Brooklyn, NY
Daniel J. Kane, DMD, MA
Program Director
NYU Langone Hospitals
Brooklyn, New York, United States
David M. Okuji, DDS, MBA, MS
Senior Associate Director
NYU Langone Health
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Purpose: This study investigated the clinical outcomes of patients treated with silver diamine fluoride (SDF), under general anesthesia, and under sedation for early childhood caries.
Methods: This retrospective chart review examined dental records for 1,653 children with early childhood caries who were treated with SDF, sedation, and/or general anesthesia from 01/01/2010 to 12/31/2020.
Results: A review of patients treated with SDF or under general anesthesia showed a greater number of new carious lesions on primary molars in children treated with SDF (41.6%) than those under general anesthesia (13.4%). These results were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). After 12 months, 4.4% of sedation patients, 2.7% of general anesthesia patients, and 0.08% of SDF patients had a displaced or broken restoration or space maintainer. A statistical significance (P < 0.001) was seen between the SDF and sedation group and between the general anesthesia and sedation group (P < 0.001). 3.7% of sedation patients and 2.1% of general anesthesia patients had at least one post-treatment extraction. These results were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
1. Children undergoing general anesthesia had a lesser prevalence of post-treatment extractions than children undergoing sedation.
2. A higher prevalence of new caries on primary molars was found in those treated with SDF compared to general anesthesia.
3. Those treated for early childhood caries under general anesthesia had a lower frequency of displaced restorations/space maintainers than under sedation.
4. There was a lower prevalence of broken restorations/space maintainers in the SDF group compared to sedation.