Progression of proximal enamel caries in early teens related to caries activity

Abstract

Posterior bite-wing radiographs were available from 3 annual check-ups of 126 individuals 12-13 years of age at the start of the study. Enamel caries was defined according to Granath et al. (2), the lesions graded and the progression largely scored (score = transition between grades) according to Gröndahl et al. (4). About 400 surfaces were observed for 2 years and approximately 950 for 1 year (year 1 or year 2). After subdivision, 2-year observations were included in the 1-year observations. The radiographic interpretation was made simultaneously by 2 examiners. A double determination revealed 86% agreement with the first registration. The individual caries activity during the 1-year period under consideration was expressed as the percentage of surfaces that had become carious during the period out of the number of available surfaces at the end of the period minus those that had been carious and filled at the start. The material was subdivided into 5 activity classes. In the 1-year material, there was a statistically significant relation between progression and caries activity (p < 0.01). In the lowest interval, 62% had score 0, 33% score 1, and 5% score 2; in the highest interval, these figures were 43, 54, and 2%, respectively. 8 % of shallow enamel lesions advanced into the dentin or the surface were restored: the corresponding figure for deep lesions was 35%. In the 2-year material, 37% of the surfaces had score 0, 49% score 1, and 14% score 2. 24% of shallow enamel lesions reached into the dentin or the surface were restored; the corresponding figure for deep lesions was 58%.