Effect of oxalic acid pre-treatment in restorations of non-carious cervical lesions: A randomized clinical trial

CONTEXT: Non-carious cervical lesions are usually associated with dentin hypersensitivity. The use of oxalic acid in restorations of these lesions could be beneficial in relieving pain. AIMS: To evaluate the use of oxalic acid in restorations of non-carious cervical lesions. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One operator placed 90 restorations in 20 volunteers of both sexes, with at least two lesions to be restored with the techniques: Control — Restoration with total-etch technique and Experimental — Restoration with pretreatment with oxalic acid followed by application of adhesive system. The restorative adhesive system used was XP Bond/Durafill. The restorations were directly assessed by two independent examiners using a modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) method at baseline, 6 and 12 months, taking into account the following criteria: Retention (R), marginal integrity (MI), marginal discoloration (MD), postoperative sensitivity (S), caries (C), and anatomic form (AF). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were statistically analyzed using the Fisher exact and McNemar tests. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: After 1 year, the results of restorations clinically satisfactory obtained for the control and experimental group respectively were: R (97% / 89%), MI (100% / 100%), MD (100% / 100%), S (100% / 100%), C (100% / 100%), and AF (100% / 100%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of oxalic acid as an agent of dentin pretreatment did not influence the clinical performance of restorations in non-carious cervical lesions after 1 year.