Unrestored Dentin Caries and Deep Dentin Restorations in Swedish Adolescents

Abstract

The objectives of this longitudinal study were to assess: (a) the prevalence of unrestored dentin caries among 15-year-olds, (b) the proportion of these lesions that had progressed to deep dentin lesions (inner half of dentin) since the immediately preceding examination at the age of 14 and (c) the frequency of deep restorations (extending into the inner half of the dentin). The sample consisted of all 15-year-olds (n = 2,487) born in 1990 and included in the Public Dental Service in Malmö, Sweden. Bitewing radiographs taken during 2005–2007 and the immediately preceding radiographs were analysed and scored by two examiners. The main radiographic scores were: sound; radiolucency in the outer or inner half of dentin; restored surface. The results showed that 22% of the individuals had 1 or more dentin lesions left unrestored from the time of the examination at the age of 14 until the next recall examination at the age of 15. During the observation period (median time 1.2 years), 9% of the unrestored outer dentin lesions progressed to deep dentin lesions. The majority of these (93%) were in molars. One or more deep restorations were found in 22% of the 15-year-olds; the majority involved occlusal surfaces of first molars. In conclusion, unrestored dentin lesions were common in 15-year-olds. Progression to deep dentin lesions occurred in 9% of these lesions and was most common in first molars. Occlusal surfaces of first molars had the highest frequency of deep restorations.

Detecting and Treating Occlusal Caries Lesions

“…h The probability of an enamel lesion progressing within a 6-monthly cycle was calculated based on 2 studies (Flório et al 2001;Liu et al 2012). Similar data for dentinal lesions were calculated from a Swedish cohort study of 14-y-olds (Ridell et al 2008). …”

Incidence of Caries Lesions in Approximal Surfaces: A Radiographic Study of a General Adult Danish Population

“…In a Swedish study the prevalence of lesions in approximal surfaces increased from 39% at the age of 12 to 72% at the age 20-21 [Mejàre et al, 1998]. Additionally, longitudinal studies have demonstrated that the overall caries incidence was considerably lower in young adults than in adolescents [Mejàre et al, 2004;Ridell et al, 2008]. However, a Danish study of teenagers demonstrated that the caries incidence in permanent molars rose slightly with age [Parner et al, 2007].…”

“…Cross-sectional studies have shown that younger adults have more caries lesions than older adults [Dummer et al, 1988;Bjarnason et al, 1997;Ridell et al, 2008;Demirci et al, 2010]. In a Swedish study the prevalence of lesions in approximal surfaces increased from 39% at the age of 12 to 72% at the age 20-21 [Mejàre et al, 1998].…”

“…In teenagers, the probability of receiving new fillings was higher if occlusal fillings were present at baseline [Hintze, 1997]. In 84% of the lesions where progression was seen in 15-year-old individuals, 6 3 DFS were found at the age of 14 [Ridell et al, 2008]. For adolescents and young adults the risk of developing new approximal caries lesions increased if DMFS (approximal surfaces) was 1 1 [Mejàre et al, 1999].…”

“…For adolescents, occlusal caries lesions still dominate over approximal lesions [Ridell et al, 2008], but at the age of 26-27 the proportion of occlusal and approximal lesions is comparable [Mejàre et al, 2004]. In adolescents, an increase in the frequency of decayed and filled surfaces with age has been documented [Dummer et al, 1988;David et al, 2006].…”