The First Permanent Molar Most Affected by Dental Caries - A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

The cost effectiveness of this study was achieved within a two year time period, which confirmed that tooth number 26 is the most affected by caries. The relative effectiveness of this study are the observations done every 0-6-12-18-24 months. To identify, which of the teeth number 16, 26, 36 and 46 is affected more by caries within a two year time period in permanent dentition. The study only aimed at observing caries process, it had not any intention to intervene and show the effect of intervention. This is a longitudinal study, with a controlled sample for a period of 24 months. The present study included 488 children who were observed every 6 months in a 24 months’ time period. The population comes from a coastal city and the economic level had no significant deviations. The sample was chosen randomly. The data collected showed that tooth number 16 has been affected 37.62% by caries. Tooth number 26 has been affected 40.51% by caries. Tooth number 36 and 46 have been affected by dental caries 14.47% and 7.40%, respectively. This research proved that time 6-24 months influences more caries manifestation with a p-value=0.034, rather than the time 12-24 months which has a p=0.037. Based on, Anova test, the relation between groups of teeth and time is significant P<0.05. This study proved that tooth number 26 is the most affected by caries. First molars in the lower jaw have higher caries prevalence than the first molars in the upper jaw, this was another finding proved by the results obtained in this research. Clinical significance: The present study, which is performed in a two year time period with controls done every 6 months, proved that tooth number 26 is the most affected by dental caries.