Radiographic findings in the teeth and jaws of 14- to 17-year-old Estonian schoolchildren in Tartu and Tallinn

Abstract

Panoramic radiographs were taken of 392 Estonian schoolchildren (33% boys and 67% girls) aged 14-17 years, 197 in Tam and 195 in Tallinn. The mean number of permanent teeth was 31.5. In 14% of the children one to four teeth (excluding wisdom teeth) were missing. The frequencies of missing wisdom teeth and supernumerary teeth agreed with those in the literature, being 17% and 3%, respectively. The mean number of radiographically detected carious teeth was 1.9 in Tartu and 3.3 in Tailinn. Secondary caries was common, being found radiographically in half of the schoolchildren. Endodontic treatment had been given to 13% of the subjects in Tartu and to 46% in Tallinn, the success rates being 47% and 44%, respectively. The percentage of radiographic signs in the mandibular condyles of girls (5%) was greater than that of boys (1%). Changes in the maxillary sinuses were found in 16% of the children. Eight dontogenic cysts, one cyst of the incisal canal, and one solitary bone cyst were found. Tumors included two odontomas, two cemento-ossifying lesions, and one osteoma in the maxillary sinus. The health status of the jaws of the Estonian schoolchildren was considered to be fairly good.