Dental Plaque and Caries on Occlusal Surfaces of First Permanent Molars in Relation to Stage of Eruption

TLDR

The study examined occlusal surfaces of 57 six‑to‑eight‑year‑old children’s first permanent molars, classifying them into four eruption stages and recording plaque (visible and detailed mapping) and caries after cleaning, with plaque reassessed after 48 h without oral hygiene. Fully erupted first molars showed markedly less visible plaque, fewer active caries lesions, and more arrested lesions compared with partially erupted teeth, indicating that eruption stage influences plaque accumulation and caries risk while functional use and brushing access aid lesion arrest.

Abstract

The occlusal surfaces of partly and fully erupted first right permanent molars were examined with respect to the occurrence and distribution of plaque and dental caries in a group of 57 six- to eight-year-old children. The children were classified into four groups ranging from one tooth partially erupted to full occlusion. Occlusal plaque was recorded at two levels of examination: (1) visible plaque and (2) detailed mapping by means of a plaque detector system. Dental caries was recorded after professional cleaning. The recording of plaque was repeated after 48 hr without oral hygiene. The findings showed a significant reduction in the easily detectable plaque in fully erupted teeth, compared with the three groups representing partly erupted teeth. The detailed mapping of plaque showed a clear pattern of preferential locations related to the macromorphology of the occlusal surfaces, and revealed reduction in the frequency of thick plaque accumulation in the fully erupted teeth. The proportion of active lesions was reduced in fully erupted teeth, and arrested lesions were mainly observed in the same group. This indicated that erupting teeth are more likely to develop dental caries, due to favorable conditions for plaque accumulation. Functional usage of teeth in addition to improved access for toothbrushing promoted arrestment of lesions initiated during eruption.