Active white enamel lesion: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk factors involved for active white enamel lesion in public schoolchildren, aged 7 to 12 years, in Natal, Brazil, using a case-control study.


METHODS
A total of 273 cases of active white enamel lesion and 325 controls (lesion-free) were matched by age, gender and school. The independent variables were: age; gender; visible plaque index (VPI); gingival bleeding index (GBI); decayed, missing and filled surfaces (DMFS); decayed, extracted or filled surfaces (dmfs); DMFS-dmfs; and the number of carious surfaces.


RESULTS
There was no statistical significance for age (p = 0.57), gender (p = 0.428) and dmfs (p = 0.06). Univariate analysis revealed an increased risk of developing active white enamel lesions in individuals with high VPI (OR = 15.5, CI 95% 10.35-23.2), GBI (OR = 2.86, CI 95% 2.05-3.99), DMFS (OR = 18.91, CI 95% 12.51-28.59), DMFS-dmfs (OR 10.22, CI 95% 7.01-14.91) and number of carious surfaces (OR = 5.47, CI 95% 3.85-7.78). Logistic regression analysis identified that GBI (OR = 2.14, CI 95% 1.41-3.25) and DMFS (OR = 17.3, CI 95% 11.39-26.27) were independent risk factors for active white lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
The results reaffirm the importance of mechanically controlling biofilm to prevent caries development in its initial stage (white lesion).
Ferreira
Maria Angela Fernandes
MA
Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. angelaf@ufr-net.br
de Souza
Dyego Leandro Bezerra
DL
de Almeida
Gilmara Celli Maia
GC
Aguiar
Heriberto de Souza
Hde S
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000150:complications*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012307:Risk Factors