Effectiveness of chlorhexidine and xylitol varnish versus silver diamine fluoride in the control of initial dental caries lesions: a randomised clinical trial.

AIM: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of a chlorhexidine (2%) and xylitol (5%) varnish (VCX) versus a silver diamine fluoride (SDF) solution (30%) in controlling initial dental caries lesions in young children.

METHODS

A randomised clinical trial was conducted with children aged 5 and 6 from public schools in Jequié, Bahia. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: one treated with VCX, another with SDF, and a control group that received no intervention. Carious lesions were classified using ICDAS-II criteria, and interventions were applied following standardised clinical protocols. Blinding was applied to participants, though not to researchers due to physical differences in treatment materials.

CONCLUSION

Both VCX and SDF were effective in reducing initial dental caries lesions, with SDF showing superior efficacy. However, VCX may serve as a viable alternative for patients concerned with aesthetics, though further studies are required to confirm its long-term effectiveness and optimise treatment protocols.