Narrative review on resin infiltration for pediatric dental caries and quality of life

Oral health plays a critical role in children's physical, emotional, and social development, yet traditional clinical indices do not adequately capture the broader impact of oral conditions on daily functioning and well-being. Oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) has therefore emerged as a key patient-centered outcome in pediatric dentistry. This narrative review aimed to summarize the conceptual foundations and measurement tools of OHRQoL in children and adolescents and to explore its relevance in minimally invasive caries management, with a particular focus on resin infiltration (RI) using Icon® (DMG, Hamburg, Germany). A targeted literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant publications from 2000 to 2025. This narrative review was prepared in accordance with the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA), and the selected literature was discussed using a thematic approach. The findings indicate that RI reduces procedural pain and anxiety, preserves tooth structure, and improves dental esthetics, particularly in visible teeth, outcomes that closely correspond to core OHRQoL domains such as functional limitations, emotional well-being, and social well-being. Although direct longitudinal studies assessing changes in validated pediatric OHRQoL scores following RI remain limited, substantial indirect evidence supports a plausible positive impact on children's quality of life. Current evidence indicates that RI has potential relevance to OHRQoL in children and adolescents, but direct clinical evidence remains insufficient. Future studies should incorporate validated OHRQoL measures to better determine the patient-centered benefits of RI and to support evidence-based pediatric dental care.