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Restorative Treatment (restorative + treatment)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Distribution within Medical Sciences

Community Dentistry & Public Health	31%
General Dentistry	27%

Kinds of Restorative Treatment

atraumatic restorative treatment

Selected Abstracts

Provision of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) restorations to Chinese pre-school children , a 30-month evaluation

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 1 2001
E.C.M.
Summary.Objectives. The objectives of this study were: to provide restorations using the ART approach to pre-school children in Southern China in a kindergarten environ-ment, using a high-strength glass-ionomer restorative material; to assess the accept-ability of this approach and to evaluate on a longitudinal basis the restorations placed. Sample and methods. A total of 170 ART restorations were placed in 95 children, aged 5·1 ± 0·7 years, by seven final-year dental students using standard ART procedures and hand instruments. The restorations were evaluated every six months thereafter by two calibrated independent examiners using explorers and mouth-mirrors. Results. 93% of the children reported that they did not feel pain during treatment and 86% were willing to receive ART restorations again. The cumulative 12- and 30-month survival rates of Class I restorations were 91% and 79%, respectively. The corresponding figures for Class V restorations were 79% and 70%, while those for Class II restorations were 75% and 51%. The failure rates of Class III and IV restor-ations were high with more than half of them scored as missing within the first year. Conclusions. The ART approach was shown to be acceptable to Chinese pre-school children for providing restorative dental care outside the traditional clinical setting. The success rates were high for Class I and V restorations in primary teeth, modest for Class II, and low for Class III and IV restorations. [source]

Performance of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) depending on operator-experience

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2010
Rainer A. Jordan MSc
Abstract Objectives: Oral health care is not of major interest in developing countries because of lack of infrastructure and professional manpower. Therefore, atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) was introduced by the World Health Organization to be performed by dental auxiliary personnel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of ART depending on operator-experience in The Republic of The Gambia. Methods: One hundred twenty-eight newly inserted restorations were followed up for 12 months using the clinical ART index in a prospective and blinded study design. The patients were randomly assigned to operators. The clinical performance was compared among three groups: trainees, experienced Community Oral Health Workers (COHW), and professional dentists. The difference in success rates was calculated at a 95 percent confidence interval. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between trainees and dentists in performing leakage/gap-free one-surface restorations (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups of auxiliaries (trainees versus experienced COHWs, P > 0.05). Finally, both groups , experienced COHWs and dentists , performed restorations not showing statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Conclusions: For The Republic of The Gambia , especially for areas with underdeveloped medical infrastructure , training and assignment to perform ART can be recommended for auxiliary dental staff of Community Oral Health Workers. [source]

Atraumatic Restorative Treatment and Dental Anxiety in Outpatients Attending Public Oral Health Clinics in South Africa

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2007
Steffen Mickenautsch BDS
Abstract Objectives: This study was undertaken to test the hypotheses that using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach results in lower patient anxiety and that lower anxiety leads to higher restoration/extraction ratios. Methods: The test group of dental operators (n=9) was trained in ART. The control group (n=11) was not, and did not apply ART. The Short Form of the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-SF) and Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) were used to assess patient anxiety after ART (test group) and after traditional restorations (control group). The restoration/extraction ratio calculated for primary (children) and permanent dentitions (adults) per operator was based on 12-month treatment statistics. Dental anxiety assessments were analysed using ANOVA. Differences were compared using the t -test and corrected for confounding factors (ANCOVA). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure the correlation between dental anxiety levels and restoration/extraction ratios. Results: The mean CFSS-SF score for test-group children was statistically significantly lower than for the control-group children. The mean DAS score for test-group adults was statistically significant lower than the control. No significant correlation was observed between dental anxiety level and restoration/extraction ratio per operator for both dentitions in both groups. Conclusion: The first hypothesis was accepted; the second, rejected. Although dental anxiety scores were lower both in child and in adult patients treated by ART than in those who received traditional restorative treatments, this positive effect had not resulted in higher restoration/extraction ratios. [source]

Explanatory models in the interpretations of clinical features of dental patients within a university dental education setting

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 1 2002
Gerardo Maupome
Clinicians may acquire biased perceptions during their dental education that can affect decisions about treatment/management of dental decay. This study established explanatory models used by students to interpret clinical features of patients. It employed a stereotypical dental patient under standardised consultation conditions to identify the interpretation of oral health/disease features in the eyes of student clinicians. The study aimed to establish the perceptions of the patient as a client of the university dental clinic, as seen through the ideological lens of a formal Dental Education system. The discourse during simulated clinical consultations was qualitatively analysed to interpret values and concepts relevant to the assessment of restorative treatment needs and oral health status. Three constructs during the consultation were identified: the Dual Therapeutic Realms, the Choices Underlying Treatment Options, and the High-Risk Triad. Comparing these discourse components, the Patient Factors of the Bader and Shugars model for treatment decisions supported the existence of a core set of themes. It was concluded that certain consultation circumstances influenced the adequacy of diagnostic strategies, mainly by introducing loosely defined but highly specific socio-cultural biases ingrained in the Dental Education concepts and diagnostic/treatment needs systems. [source]

Detection of marginal defects of composite restorations with conventional and digital radiographs

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 4 2002
Rainer Haak
The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of detecting approximal imperfections of composite fillings using three intraoral radiographic systems in vitro. Class II composite resin restorations (108) with three radiopacities (264, 306, 443% Al 99.5) of which 27 had marginal openings or overhangs, respectively, were conventionally (Ektaspeed plus) and digitally (Dexis, Digora) radiographed. Images were assessed by 10 observers for the presence of marginal gaps and overhangs, as well as for their need of restorative treatment according to a five-point confidence rating scale. The validity of the observations were expressed as areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (Aroc). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant effects of ,radiographic system' and ,diagnostic purpose'. Marginal overhangs (Aroc = 0.90) were significantly easier to diagnose than openings (Aroc = 0.63). Marginal gaps were better detected on conventional and Dexis radiographs than on Digora images. the range of sensitivities and specificities of the treatment decision was 0.53,0.56 and 0.87,0.88, respectively. It was concluded that the validity of detecting marginal defects of composite resin restorations based on radiographs was only slightly affected by the radiographic system being used. The diagnosis of marginal gaps frequently resulted in false-positive and false-negative decisions. [source]

Oral health status and treatment needs among school children in Sana'a City, Yemen

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 2 2010
KA Al-Haddad
To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2009.00398.x Al-Haddad KA, Al-Hebshi NN, Al-Ak'hali MS. Oral health status and treatment needs among school children in Sana'a City, Yemen. Abstract:, Data on the oral health status and treatment needs among Yemeni children are lacking. Objectives:, To assess caries prevalence, treatment needs and gingival health status among school children in Sana'a City and to examine how these are affected by age, gender and khat chewing. Methods:, 1489 children (6- to 14-year old) were randomly selected from 27 schools representing all nine districts of Sana'a City. Dental caries and treatment needs were evaluated using standard WHO oral survey methods. The plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI) and the gingival index (GI), recorded at the six Ramfjord's teeth, were used to assess gingival health status. Results:, 4.1% of the study subjects were caries-free. Prevalence of these was significantly higher among the males. Overall, mean dmfs, dmft, DMFS and DMFT scores were 8.45, 4.16, 3.59 and 2.25 respectively. The decayed component accounted for >85% of the scores. The highest dmfs/dmft means were found among the 6,8 years age group, while the highest DMFS/DMFT means were scored by the 12,14 years age group. The need for restorative treatment and extractions was high; the former was significantly higher among the females. All subjects had gingivitis; the mean PI, CI and GI were 1.25, 0.3 and 1.36 respectively. Khat chewing did not affect caries experience; however, it was significantly associated with higher PI, CI and GI scores. Conclusions:, The prevalence of caries, gingivitis and treatment needs among children in Sana'a city is high. More surveys in other Yemeni cities to generate comprehensive data are required. [source]

Barriers for dental treatment of primary teeth in East and West Germany

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 2 2009
CHRISTIAN H. SPLIETH
Background., In many countries, restorative treatment in primary teeth is suboptimal. Aim., Thus, this study tried to detect barriers for dentists to restore primary teeth in kindergarten children (3,6 years). Design., For a representative survey, 320 dentists (184 West, 136 East Germany) were randomly selected from the dental associations' registers and asked to answer a questionnaire on their profile, their view of the National Health System, and possible barriers for restoring primary teeth. Results., The analysis (response rate 57.7%) showed that the parents were no barrier and the dentists felt the need of restoring primary teeth. In addition to the children's anxiety, the inadequate reimbursement for fillings were perceived as clear barrier. The comparison of West and East German dentists detected statistically significantly higher barriers in West Germany, where , in contrast to the German Democratic Republic , no structured training in paediatric dentistry was compulsory before unification. Only 35% of the East German dentists rated restorative treatment in 3- to 6-year-olds as stressful in contrast to 65% in West Germany, where especially male dentists found no time to treat children. Conclusion., This study reveals that dentists can also be a considerable barrier to restorative treatment in small children, especially without adequate training in dental schools. [source]

Subcutaneous emphysema during restorative dentistry

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2007
ROBERT J. STEELMAN
Background., Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare occurrence in the dental setting. When it does occur, the entity may be mistaken for an anaphylactic reaction to a local anaesthetic agent or other medications used in dental surgery. Case Report., During restorative treatment of a left second primary molar air was introduced under an operculum. Communication with submandibular and sublingual spaces to the mediastinum was established. Conclusion., Therapy for subcutaneous emphysema involves, correct diagnosis and antibiotic coverage. Subcutaneous air will resolve over time so observation is indicated. [source]

Hypomineralized molars and incisors of unknown origin: treatment outcome at age 18 years

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 1 2005
I. MEJÀRE
Summary. Objective., To assess the outcome of treatment of hypomineralized molars and incisors of unknown aetiology (MIH) in 18-year-olds. Design., A follow-up study including clinical examination, panoramic radiography and intraoral photos. Sample and method., Seventy-six individuals treated at the Eastman Dental Institute in Stockholm during 1978,2001 with the diagnosis MIH. Severity of enamel defects in molars and incisors, prevalence and distribution of extracted molars, type, quality and median duration of restorations, periradicular condition of affected molars, dental occlusion and space closure in cases of extraction, as well as the individual's satisfaction with the treatment, were assessed. Results., Severe defects with enamel surface breakdown in all four molars occurred in 42% of the individuals and 29% had at least one incisor with yellow/brown opacity in the enamel. At follow up, 42% of the individuals had at least one molar extracted; 18% had all four molars extracted. The median duration of the molar restorations (n = 153) was 5 years. Of the individuals with restored molars, 48% had at least one unacceptable restoration. Periradicular pathology was observed in three molars. The sagittal relations did not differ between individuals with and without extraction of molars. Space closure was acceptable in 87% of the individuals with extracted molars. Eighty percent were satisfied with the treatment. Conclusions., Extraction of molars with severe enamel defects gave good or acceptable results in a majority of the patients while conservative restorative treatment resulted in a need for additional treatment in approximately half of the patients. [source]

The post-amalgam era: a selection of materials and their longevity in the primary and young permanent dentitions

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2003
H. Forss
Summary. Objectives. During the last decade there has been a rapid change in the selection of dental restorative materials as the use of amalgam has decreased. The aim of this study was to obtain information on children's restorative dental care in Finland and to analyse the longevity of failed restorations. Design. A random sample of public dental health care centres was drawn from the registers and the dentists working there were asked to record information for each restoration they placed during a three-day period. The survey data comprised a total of 2186 restorations in patients younger than 17 years. Results. Of the children in need of restorative treatment, only a few had previous amalgam restorations. Primary caries was the main reason for restorative treatment in both primary and permanent dentitions (80% and 83%, respectively). In primary teeth, the most common restorative material was resin-modified glass ionomer cement (57·4%), whereas in permanent teeth, composite resin dominated (58·7%). Amalgam was not used at all in the primary dentition and in only 0·6% of permanent teeth. Eighteen per cent of treatments in primary and 12% in permanent teeth were replacements of previous fillings. The mean age of failed glass ionomer restorations was 2·8 years (n = 101) in the primary dentition, and 3·5 years (n = 54) in the permanent dentition. Conclusions. Until better restorative materials are developed, more attention should be paid to the prevention of dental caries as well as to the proper handling of alternative materials. [source]

Comparison of dentine hypersensitivity in selected occidental and oriental populations

JOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 1 2001
D. G. Gillam
Epidemiological data on dentine hypersensitivity (DH) prevalence are limited. Few studies have compared prevalence between populations. The aim of this investigation, therefore, was to compare the perception and prevalence of DH in two distinct non-periodontal practice populations, one U.K. and one Korean. Completed questionnaires from 557 patients (230 males and 327 females, comprising 115 males and 162 females, mean age 41·7 years (s.d.=14·36), U.K. and 115 males and 165 females, mean age 29·7 years (s.d.=11·86), Korean) were collected. Analysis was by frequency distribution and cross-tabulation (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)). DH prevalence was similar and at levels comparable with those reported previously. Prevalence was higher in the third and fourth decades in both populations. Although there were no differences between U.K. or Korean males and U.K. or Korean females, there was a significant difference between gender reporting of DH, with more females complaining of DH than males (standard normal deviation (SND)=4·3, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0·1134,0·2736). DH appeared to be regarded by patients as not severe in most cases, so treatment was not generally sought. Of those who claimed to have sought treatment, a significant number had received restorative treatment. Of those patients, only 23·3% of U.K. and ,2% of Korean patients claimed to have used a desensitizing dentifrice. Pain from DH was reported as low grade (slight, occasional) occurring over 5 years in both populations. Cold appeared to be the most reported stimulus in the two populations. Less periodontal surgery had been undertaken in these two populations (12·6% U.K. and 7·1% Korean) compared with those referred to a teaching hospital periodontal department (34·5%). This compared favourably with previous findings in the general dental population (15·5%). Discomfort following hygiene therapy did not appear to last ,7 days in either population. The results indicated that there were no significant differences between U.K.- and Korean-based populations in their perception of DH, with the exception that more females complained of sensitivity than males in both groups. Overall, DH was not considered a major dental problem by most patients in either of the populations. [source]

Performance of Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) depending on operator-experience

Characteristics of Publicly Insured Children with High Dental Expenses

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 4 2007
Shervin S. Churchill MPH
Abstract Background: Dental coverage is provided for all children with Medicaid in Washington State. The goal of this study was to illuminate the characteristics of a sample of Medicaid-enrolled children with high dental expenses. Methods: Dental care utilization data for a 33-month period were obtained from Washington State's Medicaid database. For children, 0 to 6 years, these data were linked with a parent survey addressing oral health behaviors, knowledge, family history of caries, snacking patterns, and access to dental care. Children with dental expenses of $1,000 or more were classified as the "high-expense" group. Risk factors for the high-expense group were evaluated using multiple logistic regression. Results: 345 children had at least one dental procedure including preventive and diagnostic care. Among these, 30 children (9 percent) incurred 64 percent of total dental expenses for the entire group. Parent perception of lack of dental coverage was associated with incurring high dental expenses. Children of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage were at disproportionately high risk compared to White children. Age of child and family history of caries were also associated with increased risk for high expenses. Conclusions: Not all low-income children on Medicaid are at high risk for caries. A combination of factors, including family history of caries and parent's perception of lack of dental insurance coverage, can potentially increase a child's likelihood for high-expense dental treatment. This study highlighted a small group of children with disproportionately high dental expenses. For some, earlier knowledge of coverage may have resulted in more timely access to preventive and diagnostic care, reducing the subsequent need for expensive restorative treatment. [source]

Atraumatic Restorative Treatment and Dental Anxiety in Outpatients Attending Public Oral Health Clinics in South Africa

Proliferative activity of cells from remaining dental pulp in response to treatment with dental materials

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010
AN Lutfi
Abstract Background:, The biological examination of pulp injury, repair events and response of dental pulp stem cells to dental restorative materials is important to accomplish restorative treatment, especially to commonly used dental materials in paediatric dentistry, such as glass ionomer cement (GIC) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) lining cement. Methods:, Healthy patients aged between 9 to 11 years with carious primary molars without pulp exposure were selected and divided into two groups: Group 1 (teeth restored with GIC) and Group 2 (teeth lined using Ca(OH)2 and restored with GIC). The proliferative activity of stem cells of teeth between these two groups was compared using colourimetric cell proliferation reagent, alamarBlue. Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry confirmation were performed using mesenchymal stem cell markers, CD105 and CD166. Results:, The proliferative activity using alamarBlueÔ assay showed that cells derived from the remaining dental pulp of exfoliated deciduous teeth were positive for CD105 and CD166 and exhibited no difference between the two groups. Conclusions:, It can be concluded that the use of Ca(OH)2 or GIC as a lining material in indirect pulp capping procedures has the same effect on cells derived from the remaining dental pulp of exfoliated deciduous teeth which have responded favourably to the restorative treatments. [source]

Physical-mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements indicated for atraumatic restorative treatment

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009
CC Bonifácio
Abstract Background:, This study evaluated mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements (GICs) used for atraumatic restorative treatment. Wear resistance, Knoop hardness (Kh), flexural (Fs) and compressive strength (Cs) were evaluated. The GICs used were Riva Self Cure (RVA), Fuji IX (FIX), Hi Dense (HD), Vitro Molar (VM), Maxxion R (MXR) and Ketac Molar Easymix (KME). Methods:, Wear was evaluated after 1, 4, 63 and 365 days. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests (P = 0.05) analysed differences in wear of the GICs and the time effect. Fs, Cs, and Kh were analysed with one-way ANOVA. Results:, The type of cement (p < 0.001) and the time (p < 0.001) had a significant effect on wear. In early-term wear and Kh, KME and FIX presented the best performance. In long-term wear, Fs and Cs, KME, FIX and HD had the best performance. Strong explanatory power between Fs and the Kh (r2 = 0.85), Cs and the Kh (r2 = 0.82), long-term wear and Fs of 24 h (r2 = 0.79) were observed. Conclusions:, The data suggested that KME and FIX presented the best in vitro performance. HD showed good results except for early-term wear. [source]

The Marius Implant Bridge: Surgical and Prosthetic Rehabilitation for the Completely Edentulous Upper Jaw with Moderate to Severe Resorption: A 5-Year Retrospective Clinical Study

CLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 2 2002
Yvan Fortin DDS
ABSTRACT Background: Patients seeking replacement of their upper denture with an implant-supported restoration are most interested in a fixed restoration. Accompanying the loss of supporting alveolar structure due to resorption is the necessity for lip support, often provided by a denture flange. Attempts to provide a fixed restoration can result in compromises to oral hygiene based on designs with ridge laps. An alternative has been an overdenture prosthesis, which provides lip support but has extensions on to the palate and considerations of patient acceptance. The Marius bridge was developed as a fixed bridge alternative offering lip support that is removable by the patient for hygiene purposes, with no palatal extension beyond normal crown-alveolar contours. Purpose: Implant-supported restorative treatment of completely edentulous upper jaws, as an alternative to a complete denture, is frequently an elective preference, and it requires significant patient acceptance beyond the functional improvement of chewing. Patients with moderate to severe bone resorption and thin ridges present additional challenges for adequate bone volume and soft-tissue contours. The purpose of this investigation was to develop a surgical and prosthetic implant treatment protocol for completely edentulous maxillae in which optimal lip support and phonetics is achieved in combination with substantial implant anchorage without bone grafting. Materials and Methods: The Marius bridge is a complete-arch, double-structure prosthesis for maxillae that is removable by the patient for oral hygiene. The first 45 consecutive patients treated by one person (YF) in one center with this concept are reported, with 245 implants followed for up to 5 years after prostheses connection. Results: The cumulative fixture survival rate for this 5-year retrospective clinical study was 97%. Five fixtures failed before loading, in five different patients, and two fixtures in the same patient failed at the 3-year follow-up visit. None of the bridges failed, giving a prostheses survival rate of 100%. The complications were few and mainly prosthetic: nine incidences of attachment component complications, one mesobar fracture, and three reports of gingivitis. All complications were solved or repaired immediately, with minimal or no interruption of prostheses use. Conclusions: Satisfactory medium-term results of survival and patient satisfaction show that the Marius bridge can be recommended for implant dentistry. The technique may reduce the need for grafting, because it allows for longer implants to be placed with improved bone anchorage and prostheses support. [source]

The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS): an integrated system for measuring dental caries

COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
A. I. Ismail
Abstract,,, This paper describes early findings of evaluations of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) conducted by the Detroit Center for Research on Oral Health Disparities (DCR-OHD). The lack of consistency among the contemporary criteria systems limits the comparability of outcomes measured in epidemiological and clinical studies. The ICDAS criteria were developed by an international team of caries researchers to integrate several new criteria systems into one standard system for caries detection and assessment. Using ICDAS in the DCR-OHD cohort study, dental examiners first determined whether a clean and dry tooth surface is sound, sealed, restored, crowned, or missing. Afterwards, the examiners classified the carious status of each tooth surface using a seven-point ordinal scale ranging from sound to extensive cavitation. Histological examination of extracted teeth found increased likelihood of carious demineralization in dentin as the ICDAS codes increased in severity. The criteria were also found to have discriminatory validity in analyses of social, behavioral and dietary factors associated with dental caries. The reliability of six examiners to classify tooth surfaces by their ICDAS carious status ranged between good to excellent (kappa coefficients ranged between 0.59 and 0.82). While further work is still needed to define caries activity, validate the criteria and their reliability in assessing dental caries on smooth surfaces, and develop a classification system for assessing preventive and restorative treatment needs, this early evaluation of the ICDAS platform has found that the system is practical; has content validity, correlational validity with histological examination of pits and fissures in extracted teeth; and discriminatory validity. [source]

Predicting the experience of dentinal caries or restorative dental treatment in adolescents using D1 and D3 visual caries assessments

COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 5 2002
Nigel Nuttall
Abstract Standardised epidemiological caries assessments used in oral health surveys have been shown to be poor at predicting whether a tooth surface will be treated restoratively when a patient visits a dentist. However, it has been argued that oral health surveys may be more relevant in determining needs at the level of an individual or groups of individuals. The objective of this study was to determine the discriminatory power of visual caries assessments at two thresholds (D1 & D3) in adolescents of average age 12.1 years to predict experience of dentinal caries 3 years later or the experience of restorative treatment (not re-treatment) during the 3-year period. The data was derived from a prospective 3-year longitudinal study in which the dental care provided by 41 dentists for 403 adolescents was monitored. Dental caries experience was monitored by annual standardised assessments of caries undertaken by a single trained examiner. ROC analysis showed that caries assessed visually at the D1 threshold in 12-year-olds was a better predictor (P < 0.001) of experiencing some dentinal caries after 3 years (Az = 0.781) than was caries assessed visually at D3 threshold in 12-year-olds (Az = 0.670). Assessing caries visually at either the D1 or the D3 threshold had no discriminatory power for predicting whether an individual would experience some restorative treatment during the ensuing 3-year period (Az for D1 = 0.507; Az for D3 = 0.518). [source]