Timing of first restorations in permanent teeth: a new system for oral health determination.
OBJECTIVE
A system of oral health determination in which times between eruption of teeth and first restorations because of caries is measured is applied in a retrospective analysis of oral health data relating to rural health centres in Finland.


METHODS
The retrospective analysis was carried out using data relating to three health centres in different parts of Finland. The times between eruption and the placement of the first restorations in subjects up to 18 years of age were investigated.


RESULTS
Between 10% and 25% of all permanent molar teeth were filled in the year of tooth emergence--the 'immediate posteruptive step'. A steadily increasing restoration placement rate--the 'ascending growth phase'--was observed after the 'posteruptive step'. The restoration rate was found to plateau 5-8 years after eruption--the 'retardation phase'.


CONCLUSIONS
Restoration increment curves with longitudinal measurements are believed to be a sensitive indication of oral health at both individual and population levels.
Department of Preventive Dentistry and Cariology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland.
M A
MA
Larmas
J I
JI
Virtanen
R S
RS
Bloigu
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014078:Tooth Eruption