In vivo cariostatic effect of black copper cement on carious dentine

This study compared the effect of a copper phosphate cement (BCC) and a conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) on carious dentine that remains under restorations in vivo. Using a split-mouth design, 45 primary molar pairs with dentine caries were sampled microbiologically. Without further removal of carious dentine, the molar pairs were randomly allocated to three restorative groups: (1) one cavity was lined with BCC and restored with GIC and the other was kept under review as an untreated control; (2) one cavity was restored with GIC, whilst the other was kept under review; (3) one cavity was lined with BCC and restored with GIC, whilst the other was filled with GIC. The dentine was re-sampled microbiologically at 1 month (30 pairs) and 6 months (15 pairs). BCC demonstrated a significant effect on the total anaerobic count over 1 month, when paired with both the control and GIC, whereas the antibacterial effects of GIC compared with no treatment were not statistically significant. In addition, BCC performed significantly better than no treatment in reducing mutans streptococci and lactobacilli over 1 month. Over 6 months, BCC caused a significantly greater reduction in mutans streptococci than GIC. In conclusion, BCC demonstrated a significant antibacterial effect on carious dentine in vivo.