Clinical Effectiveness of Bioactive Restorative Materials in Pediatric Dental Caries Management
Bioactive restorative materials, Pediatric dentistry, Dental caries, Remineralization, Minimally invasive dentistry
AuthorsAbstractPediatric dental caries remains a major global health concern, necessitating effective restorative strategies that not only restore tooth structure but also support disease control and prevention. Bioactive restorative materials have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional materials due to their ability to interact dynamically with dental tissues and the oral environment. This review aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of bioactive restorative materials in pediatric dental caries management and to assess their therapeutic advantages in contemporary practice. Bioactive materials, including glass ionomer cements, resin-modified glass ionomers, giomers, bioactive composites, and calcium silicate-based materials, demonstrate properties such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate ion release, remineralization potential, antibacterial activity, and pulp-protective effects. Clinical evidence suggests that these materials may enhance restoration longevity, reduce secondary caries, improve marginal integrity, and support minimally invasive treatment approaches. However, their performance varies depending on material composition, clinical conditions, and patient-related factors. Despite promising outcomes, current evidence is limited by heterogeneity in study designs and a lack of long-term pediatric-specific clinical trials. Therefore, careful material selection based on individual clinical needs is essential. Further high-quality research is required to establish standardized guidelines and optimize the role of bioactive restorative materials in pediatric dentistry. 1. Introduction Pediatric dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting children worldwide and continues to represent a substantial clinical and public health burden (Figure 1). Although significant advances have been made in the area of preventive dentistry, the prevalence of untreated caries in primary and young permanent teeth continues to be a common occurrence especially in low and middle-income environments and in the disadvantaged groups in the society [1]. Dental caries among children is not only limited to localized destruction of the tooth, but in most cases, lead to pain, infection, eating difficulty, disturbed sleep, speech disabilities, poor academic performance in school and also low quality of life. Moreover, the widespread caries disease in childhood presents a long-term family and healthcare burden, which is why restorative treatment methods are highly desirable and should be not only effective but also preventive and biologically supportive [2]. Pediatric dental caries is also a significant problem in nations like India where alterations in diets, ineffective practices in oral hygiene, low levels of awareness, and poor access to oral health services persist in contributing to the high incidence of the disease [2]. Children tend to present in such settings with advanced lesions that demand restorative intervention at very early age. Since caries in children are sensitive to fast progression because of the morphological and structural features of the primary teeth, it is critical to manage it in time and adequately. This scenario reveals the significance of restorative substances that can be used safely in the pediatric oral cavity and help to manage the further evolution of the disease and avoid the recurrence in the future. The use of restorative therapy among children presents special •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ejprd.org - Published by Riset Publishing Services LLC.
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