Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical effects of glass ionomer and fluoride varnishes in the treatment of root surface caries in senile patients.Methods A total of 214 teeth with root surface caries in 98 patients were randomized into two groups, with 114 teeth in group A and 100 teeth in group B. Group A was treated with glass ionomer and group B with fluoride varnishes. Six months and one year after treatment, the results of the two different methods were evaluated and compared.Results The success rates of the two methods were 77.88% and 75.82% respectively, there were no significantly different between glass ionomer and fluoride varnishes(P>0.05).Conclusion Both glass ionomer and fluoride varnishes were effective for the treatment of root surface caries in senile patients. Fluoride varnishes is especially indicative for the senile patients who are not tolerant toward drilling and filling.

Key words: root surface caries, glass ionomer, fluoride varnishes