A barrier to providing sealants is concern about inadvertently sealing over caries. This meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of sealants in preventing caries progression. We searched electronic databases for comparative studies examining caries progression in sealed permanent teeth. We used a random-effects model to estimate percentage reduction in the probability of caries progression in sealed vs. unsealed carious teeth. Six studies, including 4 randomized-controlled trials (RCT) judged to be of fair quality, were included in the analysis (384 persons, 840 teeth, and 1090 surfaces). The median annual percentage of non-cavitated lesions progressing was 2.6% for sealed and 12.6% for unsealed carious teeth. The summary prevented fraction for RCT was 71.3% (95%CI: 52.8%–82.5, no heterogeneity) up to 5 years after placement. Despite variation among studies in design and conduct, sensitivity analysis found the effect to be consistent in size and direction. Sealing non-cavitated caries in permanent teeth is effective in reducing caries progression.

Objectives The aim was to evaluate the effects of orally administered Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) on the number of salivary mutans streptococci (MS), amount of plaque, gingival inflammation and the oral microbiota in healthy young adults. Materials and methods The study was a randomised, controlled, double-blind trial. Healthy volunteers used lozenges containing a combination of LGG and BB-12 (test group, n = 29) or lozenges without added probiotics (control group, n = 31) for 4 weeks. At baseline and at the end of the test period, the plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were determined, and stimulated saliva was collected. The microbial composition of saliva was assessed using human oral microbe identification microarray (n = 30). MS and lactobacilli (LB) were plate cultured. Results The probiotic lozenge decreased both PI and GI (p < 0.05) while no changes were observed in the control group. However, no probiotic-induced changes were found in the microbial compositions of saliva in either group. Conclusions The probiotic lozenge improved the periodontal status without affecting the oral microbiota. Clinical relevance Short-term consumption of LGG and BB-12 decreased the amount of plaque which was associated with a clinical impact: a decrease in gingival inflammation.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship of gap size and secondary caries in a newly developed secondary caries microbial model that permits adjustment of the gap between the tooth and a restoration. Methods: Tooth-resin-matrix composite specimens were mounted on gap-model stages with a gap size of 50 or 500 µm in experiment 1, and 0, 25, 250, or 1,000 µm in experiment 2. They were attached to plastic Petri plates, gas-sterilized and then incubated in a microbial caries model (with Streptococcus mutans TH16 in 1% sucrose tryptic soy broth for 1 h, 4 times/day, and with a buffer solution for the rest of the day). After 8 days of incubation, tooth specimens were sectioned and stained overnight with a rhodamine B solution. Digital images taken under a confocal microscope were analyzed for lesion size at the outer surface lesion and wall lesion (WL). Results: Gap size was found to affect the development of dentin WL area in experiment 1 and enamel and dentin WL areas in experiment 2, with bigger lesions being observed in the wider gap group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the size of the gap between tooth and restoration affects the development of secondary caries along the cavity wall.