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Effect of Primary Molar Caries on Caries Development in the Adjacent Permanent First Molars



Jafari A1, 2, 3 ; Aslani S4 ; Zangooei M4 ; Hessari H1, 4 ; Shamshiri AR1, 4 ; Kargar M5 ; Mehran M6
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Research Center for Caries Prevention, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Al Hussain University College, Karbala, Iraq
  4. 4. Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

Source: Frontiers in Dentistry Published:2021

Abstract

Objectives: Dental caries is among the most common chronic diseases of the childhood. This study sought to assess the effect of caries experience in primary molars on caries development in the adjacent permanent first molars. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 413 students aged 7 and 8 years. Clinical dental examination was performed by two independent examiners using disposable dental instruments and a head light. Dental caries was evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) for all four permanent first molars and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index for the primary molars. Data were analyzed using the Pearson’s Chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test. Results: When primary first molars were sound, 22.9% of the permanent first molars of the same quadrant were sound. When primary second molars were sound, 25.7% of the adjacent permanent first molars were sound. A carious primary second molar had a stronger correlation with development of dentin caries in the adjacent permanent first molar than a carious primary first molar (P<0.001). Conclusion: The current results confirmed that carious primary molars can significantly affect caries development in the adjacent permanent first molars, and a carious primary second molar has a significantly greater effect than a carious primary first molar in this respect. Thus, special attention should be paid to oral hygiene and proper tooth brushing of primary molars, particularly second molars. © 2021 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.