Bioactive materials with S-PRG filler in paediatric dentistry: a scoping review

Giomer is a collective term for dental-related products containing the S-PRG (surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer) filler, which features bioactive effects.

This study aimed to conduct a scoping review about the clinical performance of this type of dental material in young patients.

We included clinical trials analysing the survival rate as well as the aesthetic, functional, and biological properties of bioactive materials (resin composites, sealants, or varnishes) with S-PRG technology used in paediatric dentistry. Electronic searches were conducted in four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Virtual Health Library) along with manual searches until December 2024. The collected data were organised in Excel tables, and a critical appraisal of individual sources of evidence was conducted.

One hundred and ninety-three articles were identified, of which 13 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 846 patients were included in the studies evaluated, with ages ranging between 2.5 and 15 years. Giomer-based materials demonstrated an effect in preventing caries lesion development, a shorter mean application time than conventional sealants, and similar results regarding colour match, surface texture, marginal discolouration, and post-operative sensitivity when compared to conventional restorative materials. They also offered similar beneficial remineralisation effects as a coating material. However, some studies reported retention failures and low survival rates, especially with bioactive self-conditioning sealant, demonstrating technique sensitivity.

Dental products containing S-PRG particles offer an effective alternative for paediatric dentistry, despite their sensitivity to external factors during application. They possess aesthetic qualities comparable to other traditional materials and are particularly suitable for patients at high caries risk due to their biological properties in both preventive and restorative treatments.