title: Behavior and progression of early carious lesions in early childhood: a 1-year follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this 1-year follow-up study was to evaluate the behavior/progression of early carious lesions (active noncavitated carious lesions) by surface and type of tooth in early childhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 179 3-and 4-year-old preschoolers took part  in this study. Clinical examinations were conducted by a calibrated examiner using a mirror, ball-ended probe, gauze for cleaning and drying of teeth, and artificial light. The World Health Organization criteria, with an added measurement of early carious lesions (ECLs), were employed for  the caries examinations. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a 1-year follow-up, the study population developed 1.60 ± 1.64 new carious lesions. Children with caries activity at baseline showed much higher risks  of developing new lesions than caries-free children (odds ratio=17.3 for ECL development, OR=24.5 for cavitations/fillings). Most ECLs remained active/unchanged after 1 year, whereas approximately 36% were arrested. Approximately 10% of the ECLs became cavitated, were filled, or were missing  due to caries at follow-up. ECLs turned into cavities or fillings more frequently in the posterior region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study's findings support the conservative management of ECLs since, after 1 year, the majority of lesions were active/unchanged or were arrested on  the smooth surfaces of primary teeth.
authors: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Campinas School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, Brazil.
authors: Thaís Manzano
authors: TM
authors: Parisotto
authors: Marinês Nobre dos
authors: MN
authors: Santos
authors: Lidiany Karla Azevedo
authors: LK
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Luciana Scarlazzari
authors: LS
authors: Costa
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003732:Dental Caries Activity Tests; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility / Q000502:physiology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003750:Dental Fissures / Q000503:physiopathology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010808:Physical Examination; D012307:Risk Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000209:etiology; D014089:Tooth Remineralization; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000503:physiopathology*