Caries incipiens prevalence of the permanent teeth by jaw regions in 7-, 12- and 14-year-old children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to establish caries incipiens prevalence of the permanent teeth by dental surfaces (Is). Caries incipiens is examined totally and separately by macula cariosa alba and macula cariosa fusca by jaws and regions.


METHODS
The sample is random and comprises 600 children of 7, 12 and 14 years of age. Caries incipiens is diagnosed visually-tactile by means of a probe and mirror. The data is analyzed statistically with Excel 7.0. Statistical significance was defined as 0.05, two-tailed.


RESULTS
Caries incipiens prevalence is highest at 7 years and does not change considerably with increase of age. In all age groups macula cariosa fusca prevalence is higher than that of macula cariosa alba (P < 0.001). The highest prevalence of macula cariosa fusca is found occlusally in all age groups in both jaws. Overall compared to the upper jaw prevalence rates in the lower jaw are higher.


CONCLUSIONS
The obtained results are of importance in designing and applying preventive programs.
Kukleva
M P
MP
Higher Medical Institute, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, 24 Veliko Tarnovo St., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008437:Maxilla