Dental caries: Distribution, by age-group, between the mesial and distal surfaces of human permanent mandibular incisors

Abstract

We describe the distribution of dental caries (decayed or filled—DF), by age-group, between the mesial and distal surfaces of permanent mandibular central and lateral incisors. In the central incisors, the distribution of attacks of caries (DF) between the mesial surfaces only, the mesial and distal surfaces of the same tooth, and the distal surfaces only, remains almost constant with age from 15 yr and upwards. Lateral incisors exhibit a very different anatomical distribution of caries with age. The percentage of attacks (DF) affecting mesial surfaces only, declines slightly with advancing age; the percentage affecting mesial and distal surfaces of the same tooth declines markedly with age; and that affecting distal surfaces only, increases markedly with age. It is inferred that these observations are inconsistent with the notion that acid determines the specific anatomical siting of attacks of caries. The autoaggressive theory of the aetiology and pathogenesis of dental caries provides a quantitative interpretation of these data.