• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.102-107
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• 2009

In clinical pediatric dentistry, we have many chances to encounter the white spot like incipient enamel lesions on the mesial surfaces of the 1st molars with direct vision, especially just after the 2nd primary molars were exfoliated. But it was thought highly desirable to assess if these lesions are properly and effectively managed yet. This study aims at surveying the prevalence of incipient lesions on the mesial surfaces of the 1st molars in children through direct observation and examining the suitability of adhesive sealing on them as a pilot trial in searching for their proper management. 1. Among the 124 mesial surfaces of the 1st molars examined, 34% were sound, 53% had incipient carious lesions and 13% had cavitated lesions. 2. In the sectional views of the specimens, 20% showed microleakage after thermo-cycling and it was thought not recommendable as a permanent method. Therefore in order to effectively fight against the incipient caries lesions in children‘s permanent teeth, it was thought proper not to rely on any one method, but to perform reinforcing oral hygiene and promotion of remineralization in combination with therapeutic sealing which is stronger in short-term sealing effect. Although therapeutic sealing has been considered as the core in minimally invasive concept to treat the white spot lesions, its long-term clinical trials have not been suggested. Continuous research is strongly required for making this approach to acquire permanent nature, especially in regards of proper pretreatment and high molecular materials deeply penetrable into enamel.