Relationships between occlusal or free-smooth and approximal caries in mixed dentition.
This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships between free-smooth or occlusal surfaces and approximal caries in 104 schoolchildren between 6 and 8 years of age. Caries diagnosis was clinically and radiographically assessed, and white spot lesions, evident caries lesions or restorations, as well as radiolucence in enamel were considered to be caries. In the studied subjects, the correlations were analyzed in the 1st primary molars (Ds), the 2nd primary molars (Es), the 1st permanent molars (6s), and all molars. The data were statistically analyzed by chi-square test. Significant correlations between occlusal surface caries and approximal surface lesions were observed in Ds and Es teeth and in all molars, but not for 1st permanent molars. For free-smooth surface, these correlations were significant only for Es and all molars. Sensitivity and specificity for occlusal surface as an indicator of approximal caries in the same tooth type ranged from 73% to 83% and 51% to 58%, respectively. Similarly, for free-smooth surface the values varied from 22% to 60% and 57% to 90%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for occlusal surface caries in identifying subjects with approximal caries were 78% and 70%, respectively; for free-smooth surface, the corresponding values were 59% and 65%, respectively. The results suggest that visually detected caries lesions are indicative of approximal caries. Thus, if a certain risk limit is defined and the corresponding number of caries lesions in different surfaces is reached, the risk is above the threshold and could be a practical guideline on the need for radiography in this age group of patients with "moderate caries experience".
Nobre Dos Santos
Marinês
M
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. nobre@fop.unicamp.br
Rodrigues
Lidiany Karla Azevedo
LK
Peres
Regina Célia Rocha
RC
Yokoyama
Ricardo Takumi
RT
Gavazzi
José Carlos Camargo
JC
Gavião
Maria Beatriz Duarte
MB
D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013499:Surface Properties