Abstract
Although a link between dietary changes, caries, and dental development has been observed, the literature provides little insight about this relationship. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between dental caries and dental development in a clinical sample of Albanian children and adolescents. In total, 118 children and adolescents, born between 1995 and 2004 and aged 6-15 years, were included. Dental caries in the deciduous dentition was assessed using the Decayed, Filled Teeth (dft) index and dental caries in the permanent dentition was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Dental development during the permanent dentition was determined using the Demirjian method. Linear and ordinal regression models were applied to analyze the associations of dental caries with dental age and developmental stages of each left mandibular tooth. Dental caries in the deciduous dentition, estimated as a median dft of 2.0 (90% range, 0.0-9.1), was significantly associated with lower dental age (β = -0.21; 90% CI: -0.29, -0.12) and with delayed development of the canine, both premolars, and the second molar. Untreated dental caries (dt) was associated with lower dental age (β = -0.19; 90% CI: -0.28, -0.10). Dental caries in the permanent dentition, estimated as a median DMFT of 1.0 (90% range, 0.0-8.0), was not significantly associated with dental age (β = 0.05; 90% CI: -0.04, 0.14). However, the DMFT was associated with the advanced stages of development of both premolars and the second molar. The untreated dental caries in the deciduous dentition delays the development of permanent teeth.
Highlights
Dental development is a complex process that starts with the differentiation of the dental lamina and ends with calcification of the permanent teeth [1]
Dental caries in the deciduous dentition was estimated as a median dft of 2.0 [90% range, 0.0–9.1] (Table 1)
The findings of our study suggest that dental caries in the deciduous dentition is associated with 3- to 7-month delayed development of the permanent teeth
Summary
Dental development is a complex process that starts with the differentiation of the dental lamina and ends with calcification of the permanent teeth [1]. Each part of the tooth must complete all stages of the development [2]. Oral diseases that arise during dental development affect the dentition and the balance in the oral cavity [3,4]. Dental caries or tooth decay causes demineralization and destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth, due to bacterial activity [5,6]. It is one of the most common oral diseases in adults, and in the past few decades, tooth decay has become the most common disease of the oral cavity among children worldwide [7,8].
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