Distribution Of Caries Research Articles

The incidence and distribution of peripheral caries in the cheek teeth of horses and its association with diastemata and gingival recession

Although considered relatively common in horses, there is little information on the prevalence, distribution and aetiology of peripheral caries of the equine cheek teeth (CT). The objective of this study was to investigate a possible association between this lesion and diastemata or 'gaps' between the CT which facilitate the entrapment of food material. Video recordings of oroscopic examinations of all dental cases at an equine hospital over a 3-year period were reviewed, and the location of all diastemata, peripheral caries, trapped food, and of gingival recession were recorded. A total of 108 cases met study inclusion criteria and 298 diastemata and 445 CT with peripheral caries were noted. Diastemata were found predominantly in the mandibular arcades (80%) and 75% of animals had at least one diastema. Peripheral caries was uniformly distributed between the maxillary and mandibular CT, being most prevalent on the most caudal three teeth (87%). Overall, diastemata were not associated with peripheral caries at either a tooth or individual patient level. However, a highly significant association was found between the presence of trapped food within diastemata and gingival recession.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the distribution of dental caries in Brazilian preschool children

This study assessed the inequality in caries distribution and the association between socioeconomic indicators and caries experience of preschool children in a city in Brazil. A cross-sectional study in a multistage random sample of 455, 1-5-year-old children was conducted on National Children's Vaccination Day in Santa Maria, Brazil. Calibrated examiners evaluated the prevalence of dental caries and parents provided information about several socioeconomic indicators by means of a semistructured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Poisson regression model. The caries prevalence was 23.5 percent and the means for the decayed, missing and filled primary teeth was 0.8. A high inequality in the caries distribution with Gini coefficient of 0.8 and Significant Caries Index of 2.8 was observed. The oldest children, non-white, with mothers having low level of education and from low household income had the highest prevalence of dental caries. Socioeconomic factors are strong predictors for the inequality in caries distribution in Brazilian preschool children.

Caries experience in the primary dentition of nursery school children in ile-ife, Nigeria.

Objective: To measure the prevalence and pattern of distribution of dental caries in suburban Nigerian children attending nursery school in Ile – Ife, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional survey of 423 children (225 boys, 198 girls) aged 3 – 6 years using dmft index. WHO recommendations for oral health survey were used for caries diagnosis (non cavitated lesions were excluded). All examinations were carried out by two calibrated examiners. Result: The prevalence of caries was 10.9% and a mean decayed, missing and filled teeth index (dmft) was 0.3 with the d - component comprising 92%.The mean dmft of children with high social status was higher than children with low social status. No statistically significant differences were found between boys and girls. The pattern of distribution revealed that out of 46 children diagnosed for caries 29 (63%) had caries confined to posterior teeth, 3 (6.5%) had caries only in anterior teeth and in 14(30.4%) both anterior and posterior teeth were affected. Caries free children accounted for 89.1% Discussion: The experience of caries in suburban Nigerian nursery school children found in this study was lower than that reported in most African countries and developed countries. Conclusion: Caries is not a widespread problem in some young suburban Nigerian nursery school children in the population examined. The importance of dental education and oral health programme both curative and preventive measures for this population are important to maintain the WHO / FDI millennium goal in Nigerian children population.Key words: Caries, dmft, suburban, nursery, children.

Caries prevalence of permanent teeth: a national survey of children in Iceland using ICDAS

The Icelandic Oral Health Survey aimed to obtain new national data on the oral health of Icelandic children and teenagers. A representative stratified random cluster sample of 2251 Icelandic children in first, seventh and 10th grade, aged approximately 6-, 12- and 15-years old was examined for caries prevalence using the ICDAS criteria. Bite-wing digital radiographs were obtained for the children in 7th and 10th grade. D(3)MFT scores by visual examination of 6-, 12- and 15-year olds were 0.12, 1.43 and 2.78 respectively but when including radiographs, the D(3)MFT rose to 2.11 at 12 years and 4.25 at 15 years. The Significant Caries Index, SiC, by visual examination for 12 and 15 y was 3.7 and 6.7 respectively but was 4.7 for 12 y and 8.9 for 15 y with radiographs. In all age groups and at most disease levels, caries was active in the majority of the lesions (58-100%). The percentage of children with no visually detectable caries at D(3)/D(1) level was 93%/74% for 6 years, 48%/22% for 12 years and 35%/16% for 15 years. When radiographs were included the percentage reduced to 34%/15% for 12 years and 20%/6% for 15 years. Approximately 80% of 12- and 15-year-olds had at least one of their first molars sealed, with the mean number of sealed first molars being 2.2 among 12 y and 2.0 among 15 y. Caries levels were higher than expected in this national survey and further away from the goals of the National Health Plan for 2010 than anticipated. Caries distribution was skewed with more than half of the children having low caries scores but a wide distribution of caries experience was seen among the remaining population.

Prevalence of Caries on Individual Tooth Surfaces and its Distribution by Age and Gender in University Clinic Patients

The objectives of the present study were to assess the prevalence rate of caries on individual permanent tooth surfaces, and to compare individual tooth surface caries rates among gender and age groups. Without drying the teeth, examinations were performed with dental mirrors and blunt, sickle-shaped explorers under a dental chair light, according to WHO recommendations. Caries distribution was higher in the maxillary jaw (62.4%) than in the mandibular jaw (37.6%). Except molars, approximal surfaces of all teeth demonstrated the highest caries rates, ranging from 58.5% to 77.5%. Occlusal fissures on the first and second molars contributed most significantly to caries frequency, from 52.7% to 66.3%. Females (59.1%) showed a higher incidence of caries than males (40.9%). Approximal surfaces of incisors, canines, premolars and occlusal fissure sites in molars showed the highest caries rates in both sexes. Caries were most common among individuals aged 17 to 25 years. Approximal surfaces of incisors, canines, premolars and occlusal surfaces in molars had the highest caries rates in all age groups, except for individuals older than 65 years of age. Gender and age do not affect the prevalence of caries on teeth sites. In addition, more caries are experienced in younger age groups, and their incidence decreases as age increases.

Dental caries prevalence of medieval Korean people

Objectives Prevalence and distribution of dental caries in medieval Korean society were evaluated. Materials and methods Two thousand and nine hundred teeth samples of 126 individuals collected from 16th to 18th century Korean tombs. Results Preservation status of sample was good. The prevalence of ante- and postmortem tooth loss was 4.4% and 14.2%, respectively. The total caries prevalence was 3.9%. The tooth surface most frequently affected by dental caries was occlusal (4.5%), followed by approximal (2.1%), buccal (1.5%), and lingual (1.1%) surfaces. Discussion The prevalence of dental caries in Joseon Dynasty skeleton collection was lower than have been found in other collections of similar chronology. The low consumption of refined sugar in medieval Korean society might be a possible explanation, though the technical limitations inherent in such comparison studies preclude definitive conclusions.

PROJETO SESC SORRISO: O PESO DO COMPONENTE EDUCATIVO NO ÍNDICE DE CÁRIE

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and distribution of dental caries in schoolchildren between six and ten years old, participants of the project “SESC Sorriso”. Material and Methods: it was developed a study with an inductive approach, including descriptive and comparative procedures from secondary data collected on two occasions: at the beginning of the project and eight months later. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were carried out (nonparametric tests, a=5%). Results: A sample of 149 was obtained, being 74 boys (49.7%) and 75 girls (50.3%) whose mean age was 7.57 years. Most of the students had gone to the dentist (95.3%), 63.8% brushed their teeth three times a day and 30.9% of the children had never had fluoride applied to their teeth. The mean DMFT index was 1.71 (± 2.50, 95%CI: 1.31 to 2.12) and eight months later the value was 1.56 (± 2.36, 95%CI: 1.17 to 1.94). Initially, 43.0% of that mean obtained was attributed to the decayed component and 49.0% to the filled teeth. Later, these values were respectively of 30.0% and 63.0%. The decayed and filled components showed statistically significant difference (p-value<0.05). The initial DMFT was 0.26 (± 0.70, 95%CI: 0.15 to 0.38) and eight months later it was 0.43 (± 0.77, 95%CI: 0.22 to 0.47). Initially 26.0% of that mean was attributed to the decayed component and 74.0% to the filled teeth. Later, these values were of respectively 24.0% and 76.0%, and the filled component showed statistically significant difference (p-value< 0.05). The Gini coefficient ranged from 0.69 to 0.71 in the primary- and from 0.88 to 0.84 in the permanent-dentition. Conclusion: It was concluded that the students participating in the “SESC Sorriso” project had low caries experience, however, there is an unequal distribution of the disease, and the project should prioritize the most affected group.

Diagnóstico da doença cárie: as novas tecnologias são essenciais na prática clínica?

Although the prevalence of caries is still high in many countries and specific populations, it has been continuously dwindling worldwide in the last thirty years, especially among youngsters. This change in the epidemiologic pattern of caries distribution and presentation points to the option of restorative techniques with minimum dental tissue invasion. The professional should be aware of these auxiliary methods capable of detecting caries manifestations in their subclinical stage, some of which were historically neglected. The aim of this study is to present and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of some new auxiliary methods in caries diagnosis, comparing with each other and with traditional methods.

The Caries Management System: an evidence‐based preventive strategy for dental practitioners. Application for children and adolescents

The application of the Caries Management System (CMS) for children and adolescents follows the rationale underlying the application of the CMS for adults. Briefly, the CMS is a 10-step, risk-based, non-invasive strategy to arrest and remineralize early lesions and to enhance caries primary prevention. The method for assessing each patient's diet, plaque distribution, and signs of caries as shown in bitewing radiograph images, follows the protocols for adults. Protocols presented here relating to caries risk assessment, lesion diagnosis and management, and patient recall are specific for children and adolescents. Fundamentally, non-cavitated lesions in primary and especially permanent teeth are managed: (1) professionally by preservative non-invasive means, including fluoride varnish and sealants; and (2) daily home toothbrushing using fluoride toothpaste where the aim is to arrest lesion progression so that restorations will not be necessary. Monitoring of lesions through the review of clinical signs and bitewing images is the means for assessing caries activity. For those who fail to respond to advice to reduce cariogenic exposures and continue to develop new lesions at a steady or increased rate, a more intensified programme is required; their higher risk status is confirmed and treatment follows the corresponding protocol.

Caries frequency and distribution in an early medieval Avar population from Austria

The aim of this study was to determine frequency and distribution of dental caries in an early medieval Avar population from Central Europe, namely Vienna. The evaluation of caries was carried out in an anthropological sample consisting of the remains of 136 individuals and included 2215 permanent teeth. Age and sex estimations were based on dental development and on skeletal ageing methods. The presence of dental caries was determined according to clinical aspects using a dental probe. The frequency of ante mortem tooth loss in the sample was 23.8%; the total caries frequency was calculated as 14.9%. The highest caries rate was recorded in the second mandibular molar (34.6%). The most affected tooth surface was found to be the root with 12.7%, followed by the approximal surface with 8.6%, but only 7.7% of the occlusal surfaces were affected by caries. This study revealed that Avars suffered from higher caries rates than most other medieval European populations, but experienced a similar dental caries distribution. Attrition of the occlusal surface resulting from a diet containing abrasive particles with accompanying posteruptive tooth movement is considered the major factor causing this premodern caries pattern.

Black stain and dental caries in Filipino schoolchildren

Black stain is defined as dark pigmented exogenous substance in lines or dots parallel to the gingival margin and firmly adherent to the enamel at the cervical third of the tooth crowns in the primary and permanent dentition. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of black stain on teeth of Filipino children and to determine a possible association between black stain and caries levels. The study was designed to test the following hypotheses: (i) the prevalence of black stain does not differ between children from schools with oral health intervention programs and those from schools without an intervention program, (ii) the prevalence of black stain does not differ in children attending easily accessible and remote schools, (iii) caries prevalence and caries experience do not differ in children with and without black stain and (iv) the caries distribution at the surface level does not differ in children with and without black stain. In total, 32 elementary schools were included. 19 schools with a comprehensive school-based preventive oral health program, seven schools with a basic preventive program and six control schools. All sixth graders of these schools (n=1748) aged 11.7+/-1.1 years were clinically examined for black stain. DMFT was assessed in 1121 children by seven calibrated dentists using WHO criteria. DMFS was scored in 627 children by two calibrated dentists. Black stain was found in 16% of this population. The prevalence of black stain did not differ significantly between children attending schools with different oral health intervention programs. Thus, hypothesis 1 was accepted. The prevalence of black stain was significantly higher (P<0.05) in remote than in more accessible schools. Thus, hypothesis 2 was rejected. Children with black stain had significantly lower (P<0.05) caries prevalence and caries experience than children without black stain. Thus, hypothesis 3 was rejected. No difference was found in the DMFS pattern of occlusal, smooth and proximal surfaces between children with and without black stain. Thus hypothesis 4 was accepted. The presence of black stain is associated with lower levels of caries, but a difference in the distribution of caries in black stain children was not noticed. The interplay between black stain, caries, oral microflora and diet remains unclear and urges further research.

Changing Inequalities in the Distribution of Caries Associated with Improving Child Oral Health in Australia

This study aimed to document the changing distribution of and inequalities in dental caries in Australian children across the 25-year period from 1977 to 2002. Oral health data were obtained from Australia's national Child Dental Health Survey Measures of caries distribution included the Significant Caries Index and the proportions of children with high caries experience [decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) > or =4], while inequality was assessed by using Gini coefficients calculated from Lorenz curves. Changes in caries distribution were compared with changes in child dmft/DMFT. While appreciable reductions occurred in child caries experience, in terms of both mean dmft/DMFT and for those children with the poorest oral health, inequalities in the distribution of caries experience increased across the 25-year period. Inequalities in the distribution of decayed and filled teeth differed for the deciduous and permanent dentition and, in the permanent dentition, became increasingly similar in the 1990s. Increasing inequalities in child dental caries in Australia must be interpreted in the context of declines in both mean caries experience and in the caries experience of those children with the poorest oral health. The Gini coefficient documents that the majority of the caries experience is increasingly being confined to a smaller percentage of the child population; however, this is a consequence of population-wide child oral health improvements.

Construction of a dental caries prediction model by data mining

Recently, the distribution of dental caries has been shown to be skewed, and precise prediction models cannot be obtained using all the data. We applied a balancing technique to obtain more appropriate and robust models, and compared their accuracy with that of the conventional model. The data were obtained from annual oral check-ups for schoolchildren conducted in Japan. Five hundred children were followed from ages 5 to 8, and the three-year follow-up data were used. The variables used were salivary levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, 3-min stimulated saliva volume, salivary pH, fluoride usage, and frequency of consumption of sweet snacks and beverages. Initially, conventional models were constructed by logistic regression analysis, neural network (a kind of prediction method), and decision analysis. Next, the balancing technique was used. To construct new models, we randomly sampled the same number of subjects with and without new dental caries. By repeated sampling, 10 models were constructed for each method. Application of the balancing technique resulted in the most robust model, with 0.73 sensitivity and 0.77 specificity obtained by C 5.0 analysis. For data with a skewed distribution, the balancing method could be one of the important techniques for obtaining a suitable and robust prediction model for dental caries.

Frequency distribution of dental caries in Japanese children

Frequency distribution of dental caries in Japanese children

Prevalence and distribution of caries in the 12-15 year urban school children in Enugu, Nigeria.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence and distribution of dental caries among 12 to 15 year old urban school children in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria.Methods: A multistage sampling technique was used to select the 353 school children that were studied. Presence of caries was identified by using semi structured interviewer administered questionnaires, mouth mirror and blunt probe under natural illumination. Data on presence of caries were recorded using WHO criteria of 1997.Results: Caries were diagnosed in 85 (24.1%) of the 353children. The total mean DMFT for the 353 children was 0.45 ± 0.53. The mean DMFT for boys was 0.35 ± 0.33 and for girls it was 0.54 ± 0.86. There was a general increase in mean DMFT with age. Caries was most prevalent in first molars (46.5%) while canines and first premolars were caries free. Caries were also observed more in the mandibular molars (23.29%).Conclusion: Caries prevalence was low compared to those obtained from previous studies. The prevalence gets worse with increasing age. To sustain the low prevalence, a cost effective preventive approach to caries should be used especially by the older children.

Dental caries, tooth wear and diet in an adult medieval (12th–14th century) population from mediterranean France

Objectives The aims of the present work were to determine the frequency and distribution of caries and tooth wear on paired maxillae of a mediaeval sample from southwest France in which the sex of the remains had been established, and to make a relation with the diet of this population. Materials and methods The sample analysed consisted of the dental remains of 58 adult individuals (29 men and 29 women) excavated from the mediaeval cemetery of the archaeological site of Vilarnau d’Amont (southwest France). A total of 1395 teeth were examined. Results The frequency of ante-mortem tooth loss for the sample was 8.7% and the frequency of caries was 17.5%. The frequencies of carious lesions in adult men and women’s dentition were 21.9% and 14.0%. The most frequent were occlusal (49.7% and 34.3%) and approximal caries (26.5% and 37.4%). Concerning tooth wear, all 58 individuals were affected by attrition (100%) and more than 90% of the teeth were concerned. Most of them showed the presence of dentin clusters. There was no significant difference between men and women for caries and tooth wear. Discussion These findings are similar to those of other studies on European populations of the same socio-economic status and confirm the predominance of tooth wear over carious lesions during this period. Both caries and tooth wear may be related to the regional diet of this rural population.

The frequency and distribution of dental caries and tooth wear in a Byzantine population of Sa'ad, Jordan

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the frequency, distribution and extent of dental caries and tooth wear in a Byzantine population in Sa'ad, to compare these with modern Jordanians, and to draw inferences about their lifestyle. Dental caries and tooth wear were examined in 1159 permanent teeth using direct vision and dental explorer. The location and extent of the lesions were recorded and evaluated according to defined criteria. The overall caries prevalence was 16.8% (n = 1159). Most of the carious lesions (13. 9%, n = 1159) were present in the tooth crown, on occlusal or proximal surfaces; 2.9% of teeth displayed root caries alone. The upper and lower central incisors exhibited the lowest coronal caries frequency, while molars showed the highest frequency. Attrition with moderate dentine exposure was evident in most teeth. Some teeth (9.8%) demonstrated oblique abrasion and 9 (0.78%) teeth exhibited cupped occlusal surfaces. The prevalence of caries was within the range reported for other Byzantine populations and lower than that of modern Jordanians. The attrition seen in most teeth and the cupped occlusal surfaces might be due to eating abrasive food, drinking wine or acidic beverages. Oblique abrasion on the facial and palatal surfaces reflects their business or craft, such as basket making and leather processing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Dental caries experience in 12-year-old schoolchildren in southeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caries-free children using DMFT and significant caries (SiC) indexes in different caries prevalence groups in cities of the region of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. The methodology proposed by the World Health Organization (1997) was used for caries diagnosis in 2,378 individuals. According to the DMFT index obtained in each evaluated city, 3 prevalence groups with representative samples were formed, being classified as low, moderate and high. SiC index was used to classify the one third of the population with the highest caries prevalence. In the low prevalence group, 32.4% of the children were caries free (DMFT=0), with mean DMFT of 2.29 and SiC index of 4.93. In the moderate prevalence group, 21.8% of the children were caries free, with mean DMFT of 3.36 and SiC of 6.74. Only 6.9% of the children in the high prevalence group were caries free and the mean DMFT was 5.54 (SiC=9.62). There was a great heterogeneity in dental caries distribution within the studied population, as well as a high caries prevalence considering the 3 classifications. Other indexes besides DMFT could be used to improve oral health assessment during establishment of the treatment plan and intervention.

Distribution and prevalence of dental caries in Bauru, Brazil, 1976–2006

To compare caries prevalence and severity, as well as the disease distribution in the permanent dentition of 12-year-old schoolchildren in Bauru, Brazil, from 1976 to 2006. Probabilistic samples were obtained in six surveys, from 1976 to 2006, which were conducted by calibrated examiners, following the same protocol. For data analysis, the DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth), Significant Caries Index (SiC Index), percentage of caries-free children, Gini Coefficient and Care Index were determined. The means (SD) for DMFT were 9.89 (3.96), 6.98 (3.80), 4.30 (3.11), 4.29(3.44), 1.53(2.07), and 0.90(1.53) in 1976, 1984, 1990, 1995, 2001 and 2006, respectively. Except for years 1990 and 1995 and also for 2001 and 2006, there were statistically significant differences in mean DMFT among the surveys (p < 0.05). The number of caries-free children (DMFT=0), which has significantly increased over the years (p < 0.001), ranged from 0.4% in 1976 to 63.8% in 2006. The SiC Indexes were 14.34, 11.42, 7.74, 8.06, 3.89, and 2.63; the Care Index were 31.9%, 57.4%, 68.7%, 50.5%, 66.4%, and 56.3%; and the Gini Coefficients were 0.23, 0.30, 0.39, 0.43, 0.66, and 0.76 in the surveys. Dental caries experience and prevalence in 12-year-old schoolchildren have declined significantly during the last 30 years in Bauru.

Étude de la prévalence et de la distribution carieuse dans une population médiévale du Sud-Ouest de la France

Teeth are an interesting material for the study of ancient populations. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of caries in a medieval sample of paired maxillas in a rural population in Southwest France and to compare men and women. Our sample included 58 adults, 29 men and 29 women, with dentate maxillas in good state of conservation, for a total of 1,395 teeth out of a possible 1,846 (75%). The number of caries and their localization were noted. The frequency of antemortem missing teeth was 8.67%. The prevalence of caries was 17.46% and the most frequent caries were occlusal and proximal. Second and third molars were the most frequently affected maxillary and mandibular teeth. Caries on maxillary teeth were statistically more frequent than on mandibular teeth (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between men and women (p>0.05). Our study showed that the frequency and the distribution of dental caries in this medieval population from southwest France were comparable to those of other European populations from the same period. The low level of caries was probably due to attrition and noncariogenic food. Differences between men and women were not significant, even though our results suggest that men were much more concerned by caries than women, especially for posterior teeth. A different diet may be the reason for this difference.