Caries Pattern In Primary Molars With Early Pulpal Involvement In Mixed Dentition

INTRODUCTION: Caries in primary dentition may lead to high risk in permanent dentition; it is therefore important to identify those children who are caries affected. Specific and distinct patterns of caries attack might indicate a distinct etiology or are most likely associated with the subsequent development of carious lesions on other surfaces of teeth.AIM: To assess caries susceptibility and prevalence in primary teeth and evaluate the prevalence of caries according to individual molar surfaces in 4-8 year old children.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional retrospective study was conducted in the pediatric department of SGT Dental College using convenient sampling with caries in teeth as chief complaint. 70 radiographs were examined in the age group of 4-8 years. Lesions present on mesial, distal and occlusal surfaces were recorded on the chart after radiographic examination.RESULTS: As per results, distal surface of D(45.40%) and mesial surface of E (37.80%) showed maximum caries on adjacent proximal surfaces and significant dependence (p value<0.05) was found between the presence of lesions on adjacent proximal surfaces. The D(76.1% )and E(79.1% )showed significantly higher caries experience on the proximal surfaces in conjunction with occlusal caries but were statistically not significant.CONCLUSION: In the presence of non-proximal caries (occlusal caries), the chances of proximal caries are increased as seen radiographically. Thus need for treatment, are likely being underestimated during visual examinations alone.