Plain English Summary
We conducted a controlled, randomized clinical trial of the effect on the saliva of the application of two varnishes − MI Varnish (CPP-ACP with sodium fluoride 5%) and Clinpro White Varnish (fTCP with sodium fluoride 5%) – applied every three months in children with a high risk of caries, for 12 months. We included 58 children aged 4-12 years, assigned to control (placebo), Clinpro and MI groups. Baseline and three-monthly saliva samples were taken. We assessed changes in pH, lactic acid concentrations and trace elements in saliva. At 12 months, all groups showed a nonsignificant increase in pH levels and a reduction in lactic acid, which was greatest in the placebo group. There was a significant reduction in 24Mg, 31P and 66Zn levels in the placebo group (p≤0.05), but not in the other elements studied: 23Na, 27Al, 39K, 44Ca, 52Cr, 55Mn, 57Fe, 59Co, 63Cu, 75As, 111Cd, 137Ba, 208Pb and 19F. In conclusion, neither pH, lactic acid concentrations or most salivary trace elements were useful in defining patients at high risk of caries or in monitoring the effect of MI Varnish and Clinpro White Varnish after three-monthly application for 12 months.
Background and study aims
When dental plaque is not regularly removed, bacteria break down sugars in the diet forming acids as by-products. Lactic acid is the main acid involved in caries (tooth decay). As acids accumulate minerals are lost from the surface layer of the tooth. The imbalance in demineralization/remineralization favours the loss of calcium and phosphate from the teeth. Saliva contains the most important microelements for the remineralization and maturation of dental tissue and plays a crucial role in maintaining the oral environment. Fluoride is the agent par excellence in preventing and detaining cavities. However, remineralization may be hampered by limited levels of calcium and phosphate, and new products have been developed to ensure a constant supply. Two of the most used products are amorphous calcium phosphate stabilized with casein phosphopeptide (CPP-ACP) and tricalcium phosphate modified by fumaric acid (fTCP). The aim of this study is to study the effects of coating with CPP-ACP (MI Varnish) and fTCP (Clinpro White Varnish), applied quarterly to children at high risk of cavities, on pH, lactic acid, salivary trace elements, bacteria and plaque for 12 months.
Who can participate?
Children aged 4-12 years attending the Integrated Child Dentistry Clinic of the University of Murcia for checkups or dental treatment at a high or extreme risk of caries
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to be treated with one of two varnishes − MI Varnish (CPP-ACP with sodium fluoride 5%) and Clinpro White Varnish (fTCP with sodium fluoride 5%) – or a placebo (dummy) varnish every 3 months for 12 months. Saliva samples are taken at the start of the study and every 3 months. The researchers assessed changes in pH, lactic acid concentrations, trace elements and bacterial concentration in saliva. They also assessed plaque and caries.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The individuals participating in the study are its main beneficiaries. The treatment is a proven technique that contributes to increasing patients’ oral health. Indeed, the findings could have important repercussions in the promotion of oral health among children, since it implies an increase in the available intervention technology.
It is important to note that this study does not pose any type of risk to any of the participating patients. On the contrary, like any dental intervention technique, this study meets all the requirements for the early and correct identification of children at risk of caries. In these interventions different oral hygiene strategies, healthy dietary habits and preventive measures were implemented, so that the caries disease was controlled and its rate of progression decreased.
Where is the study run from?
University of Murcia Dental Clinic, Hospital General Universitario Morales Meseguer, Murcia (Spain)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2016 to December 2018
Who is funding the study?
University of Murcia (Spain)
Who is the main contact?
Andrea Poza Pascual
andrea.poza@ehu.eus
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Ms Andrea Poza Pascual
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5718-2288
Contact details
Tiboli 1
1º Dcha
Bilbao
48007
Spain
+34 (0)620025288
andrea.poza@ehu.eus
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
Nil known
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Protocol/serial number
POZA
Study information
Scientific title
Effects of fluoride and calcium phosphate-based varnishes on plaque index and salivary pH, lactic acid, trace elements and bacterial count of children at high risk
Acronym
-
Study hypothesis
The hypothesis was that the application of the two varnishes applied quarterly for 12 months changes either pH, lactic acid concentrations or levels of trace metals in the saliva of children at high risk of caries
Ethics approval
Approved 19/05/2017, Ethics Research Committee and the Research Biosecurity Committee of the University of Murcia (University of Murcia: Merced Campus, Calle San Cristo 1, 30001, Murcia, Spain; +34 (0)868 88 3614; comision.etica.investigacion@um.es), ref: CIS: 1499/2017; CBE 50/2017
Study design
Single-centre controlled randomized clinical trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Prevention
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Condition
Caries
Intervention
Participants were randomized to control (placebo), MI Varnish (CPP-ACP with sodium fluoride 5%) or Clinpro White Varnish (fTCP with sodium fluoride 5%) applied every 3 months. Baseline and three-monthly saliva samples were taken for 12 months.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Measured at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months:
1. pH measured using a pH test strip (range 4.0–9.0; Code. 1.16996.0001; Reflectoquant™ Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) introduced in an RQflex®10 reflectometer (Merck Millipore, Darmstadt, Germany)
2. Lactic acid concentration measured using a lactic acid test strip (range 1.0-60.0 mg/L; Code. 1.16127.0001; Reflectoquant™ Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) introduced in an RQflex® 10 reflectometer (Merck Millipore, Darmstadt, Germany)
3. Trace elements in saliva (24Mg, 31P, 66Zn, 23Na, 27Al, 39K, 44Ca, 52Cr, 55Mn, 57Fe, 59Co, 63Cu, 75As, 111Cd, 137Ba and 208Pb) measured using mass spectrometry with inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP-MS Agilent 7900; Agilent Technologies Inc.; CA; USA)
4. Plaque index measured using a three-tone discoloring agent (Triplaque, GC, Leuven, Belgium) and Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein plaque index scale. Additionally, the researchers developed their own Plaque Maturity and Acidity Index (PMAI)
5. Quantitative analysis of bacterial load in saliva samples by qPCR using universal primers on the 16S ribosomal gene with high coverage rate in all bacteria PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). DNA extraction performed with the Maxwell AS1290 LEV Blood DNA Kit (Promega Biotech Ibérica S.L, Madrid, Spain). DNA read by fluorimetry on the Prusga Quantus kit with the Quantifluor ONE dsDNA System (Promega Biotech Ibérica S.L, Madrid, Spain)
Measured at baseline and 12 months:
1. 19F measured in saliva using an ion-specific fluoride electrode (Orion 9609 BNWP, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Waltham, USA) coupled to an ion analyzer (Orion EA-940 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Waltham, USA)
2. Caries index using the dmfs/DMFS (decayed, missing and filled teeth surface)
Secondary outcome measures
There are no secondary outcome measures
Overall trial start date
10/02/2016
Overall trial end date
31/12/2018
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
Children aged 4-12 years attending the Integrated Child Dentistry Clinic of the University of Murcia for checkups or dental treatment who presented a high or extreme risk of caries according to the CAMBRA protocol
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Child
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
58
Total final enrolment
33
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Children who had received fluoride varnish or other permanent surface treatment containing fluoride in the previous 6 months
2. Children fitted with orthodontic apparatus
3. Children living in an area with fluoridated drinking water
4. Children with moderate or severe fluorosis or other morphological or anatomical abnormalities of dental development
5. Children with systemic diseases causing physical limitations
6. Children with allergy or proven/suspected sensitivity to milk proteins
Recruitment start date
01/06/2017
Recruitment end date
31/12/2018
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Spain
Trial participating centre
University of Murcia Dental Clinic Hospital Morales Meseguer
Av Marqués de los Vélez s/n
Murcia
30008
Spain
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Murcia
Sponsor details
Calle Campus Universitario
11
Murcia
30100
Spain
+34 (0)620025288
poza.andrea@gmail.com
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
Universidad de Murcia
Alternative name(s)
University of Murcia
Funding Body Type
government organisation
Funding Body Subtype
government non-federal
Location
Spain
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Planned publication n a high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing statement
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Andrea Poza Pascual (andrea.poza@ehu.eus) regarding sociodemographic data or measured outcomes (salivary pH, lactic acid, trace elements and bacterial load and plaque index). The results will be available following publication of the study and ending 5 years following article publication. Data will be shared with anyone who wishes to access it for any type of analyses. Proposals should be directed to andrea.poza@ehu.eus and to gain access, anyone requesting access to data will be required to sign a data access agreement.
Intention to publish date
26/11/2020
Participant level data
Available on request
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
Publication citations
Additional files
- ISRCTN13681286_PROTOCOL_26May2020.pdf Uploaded 08/06/2020