Survival Rate and Cost Effectiveness of Occlusal ART Restorations in Primary Molars Using 3 Different Glass Ionomers Cements - a Randomized Clinical Trial

Sampling procedure:

This study was approved by the research ethics committee of the School of Dentistry (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and a written informed consent will be obtained from the parents or legal guardians of the participating children. The sample size was calculated based on the minimum difference of 10% in the success rate between the control and treatment groups after 1 year of follow-up, with and α of 5% and power (strength) of 80% using paired test. According to the sample size calculation 150 children aged from 5-8 years old attending public schools from the city of Barueri in the state of São Paulo, Brazil will be selected.

To be included in this study the following criteria must be followed: healthy, cooperative children with at least one occlusal carious lesion in a primary molar extending to the dentin with dimensions not greater than 2 mm occluso-cervical and with an intact edge list. Also, to be included the tooth cannot present ulcer, abscess, fistula, or pathological mobility.

Implementation:

One occlusal restoration per child will be included in this study. If the selected children present more cavities, they will be referred to the health centre of the municipality of Barueri or will be treated by the operators of this research during the training week. All the occlusal and proximal-ART restorations will be performed by two operators on the school premisses. The operators will be final year dental students who will be previously trained to perform ART and to mix the GIC according to the manufacturers' protocol. Additionally, a try-out week will be included to give the operators the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the local conditions prior to the start of the operative phase of the study. The operators will be assisted by a local dentist and a dentist assistant, who will be previously trained to mix the GIC according to the manufacturers' protocol. The children will be randomly assigned into three groups: Fuji IX, Maxxion R, and Vitro Molar and the GIC brand used in each child will be assigned by a random list. The operators are blind for the GIC brand.