In vivo assessment of secondary caries and dentin characteristics after traditional amalgam restorations Isauremi Vieira de Assunção Pinheiro1 Boniek Castillo Dutra Borges1 Kenio Costa de Lima1 ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to evaluate in vivo the occurrence of secondary caries and dentin characteristics in permanent molars after traditional amalgam restorations, by means of clinical visual examination, radiographs and laser-induced fluorescence (LF) (DIAGNOdent). Methods: Thirty first permanent molars of 30 schoolchildren in the 7 to14 year-old age group were included. Caries was removed by hand. Thus, indirect pulp capping was performed with glass- ionomer cement (GIC), the cavity was varnished and amalgam filled. LF was measured before and after cavity preparation and after a 12-month observation period. Dentin color after cavity prepara- tion and after the 12-month observation period was recorded. Recurrent caries was also investigated by visual clinical and radiographic examinations, in addition to dentin thickness between pulp and indirect GIC pulp capping. Data was analyzed by ANOVA for repeated measurements, paired “t” test and descriptive statistic. Results: There were statistically significant differences (P<.05) among LF scores for dentin in all periods evaluated, with the lowest scores shown after 12 month of observation. There was no statistical difference between dentin color after cavity preparation and following 12 months of ob- servation. Moreover, there was no recurrent caries attack at 12-month follow-up; dentin thickness between pulp and indirect GIC pulp capping was similar between baseline and final observation periods. It was concluded that the clinical restorative procedure using hand caries removal, indirect pulp capping with GIC, varnishing and amalgam filling the cavity did not provide secondary caries and increased dentin mineral content after 12 months. (Eur J Dent 2012;6:263-269) Key words: Clinical trial; glass ionomer cement; remineralization; DIAGNOdent, recurrent caries 1 Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, BRAZIL. Corresponding author: Dr. Isauremi Vieira de Assunção Pinheiro Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av Senador Salgado Filho, 1787, Zip-Code: 59.056-000 Natal/RN, Brazil Tel/Fax: +55 84 3215 4135 Email: professorisauremi@gmail.com July 2012 - Vol.6 INTRODUCTION Nowadays, cavity preparation should be per- formed with minimal tissue removal, since this conservation of sound tissue promotes the lon- gevity of the restored tooth.1,2 Moreover, there is a general consensus for caries-affected dentin to be preserved during caries excavation because it can be remineralized.3-5 263 European Journal of Dentistry