Caries Susceptibility of Proximal Surfaces in Permanent First Molars: A Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objective: To report the caries frequency of proximal surfaces of permanent first molars. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Operative Dentistry, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi. One month from 1 October 2015 to 31 October 2015. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on retrospective data of 374 patients presenting to the department of Operative Dentistry, Dow University of Health Sciences. Diagnosis of dental caries was made on selected periapical radiographs using criteria provided by Senel. Caries data and other independent variables e.g. age; gender, arch and side were analyzed with SPSS for windows version 17. Chi square test was used to measure association between proximal caries and qualitative variables such as gender, age group and tooth group. Results: There were more mesial proximal lesions (56.4%) than distal lesions (43.6) in all age groups except for 41-50 years and above 50 years (p=0.109). When maxillary and mandibular teeth were compared with proximal surfaces, mesial surface of maxillary first molar was found to be more carious statistically (p=0.000326) Conclusion: Mesial surface of maxillary permanent first molar was associated with increased risk for dental caries.

Keywords

• caries diagnosis, dental caries, permanent first molar, mesial proximal surface