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Dental Nation
Material guide

Calcium Hydroxide Liner

For deep decay in primary and permanent teeth, studies found no significant clinical-success advantage from adding a calcium hydroxide liner.

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The short answer

In studies of deep caries lesions, adding a calcium hydroxide liner did not improve clinical success in primary or permanent teeth.

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Calcium Hydroxide Liner dental educational illustration

What does a calcium hydroxide liner change?

Calcium hydroxide liner comparisons in deep caries studies
ComparisonClinical-success finding
Calcium hydroxide liner versus adhesive system in primary teethNo significant difference between materials.[1][2]
Calcium hydroxide liner versus glass ionomer cement in primary teethNo significant difference between materials.[1][2]

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How firm is that finding?

The review included 17 studies, fifteen in primary teeth and two in permanent teeth, but rated the evidence from moderate to very low quality.

[1][2]
Scope of the deep-caries review
Study detailReported value
Included studies17 studies.[1][2]
Tooth groups15 primary-tooth studies and 2 permanent-tooth studies.[1][2]

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When has it been studied?

The comparison concerns deep carious lesions treated with and without a calcium hydroxide liner, assessed through clinical, radiographic, or laboratory evaluations.

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Which liner choices were compared?

The review compared calcium hydroxide with adhesive systems and with glass ionomer cement for deep caries lesions in primary teeth.

[1][2]

What does this mean for a deep cavity?

A calcium hydroxide liner was unnecessary in the review's pooled analysis of deep caries lesions, although stronger randomized clinical studies were still needed.

[1][2]

What uncertainty remains?

The absence of a significant success difference came from evidence judged moderate to very low quality, so the result does not settle every liner decision.

[1][2]

Frequently asked questions

Was calcium hydroxide better than glass ionomer for deep decay in primary teeth?

The pooled comparison found no significant difference in clinical success between calcium hydroxide liner and glass ionomer cement in primary teeth.

[1][2]

Keep reading

symptomTooth PainconditionMissing Teeth from Birth (Hypodontia)