Prevalence of dental caries and tooth wear in a Byzantine population (13th c. A.D.) from northwest Turkey

Dental caries and wear are important conditions to record in archaeological collections. Reconstruction of the life of ancient peoples can be accomplished by studying their dental remains. The aim of the present paper was to determine the frequency, distribution, and characteristics of dental caries, dental wear and related diet in the mediaeval Byzantine population of Iznik in northwest Turkey. The analysed sample consisted of the dental remains of 56 individuals with the total of 280 teeth. The majority (261 or 93.2%) of the teeth belonged to the permanent dentition. The frequency of antemortem tooth loss in the sample was 6.5% and the frequency of caries was 6.8%. The most frequent recorded caries were mesial (3.3%), followed by buccal (3%). The frequency of dental wear was rather high (84.2%) exhibiting presence of dentin clusters mostly. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis of caries attrition competition based on the assumption that a beneficial effect of tooth wear is to avoid development of caries. High wear in the archaeological population can be linked to the fact that the cumulative effects of attrition as a result of the Byzantine diet.     

成都农村儿童患龋状况调查报告

目的：通过随机整群抽样的方法,了解成都农村地区儿童现患龋状况。方法随机抽取成都农村地区小学,对所抽取的每所学校7~11岁学生进行口腔龋病的全面检查并记录。龋病检查和记录标准采用Nyvad指数。检查结果均通过Epidada软件进行数据录入,使用SPSS 13.0统计软件分析数据。结果对四川省成都市农村地区6157名学生进行了口腔龋病的全面检查,其中男性3070名,女性3087名,平均年龄为（9.6±0.64）岁。本次调查中,乳牙患龋率为77.8%。恒牙患龋率为33.5%。早期龋患病率为9.7%。患龋者中,活跃性龋者占78.2%,非活跃性龋者占22.8%。乳恒牙活跃性龋多分布在(牙合)面、颊面、舌面。结论成都农村儿童患龋以活跃性龋损为主,乳恒牙活跃性龋多分布在(牙合)面、颊面、舌面。     

The frequency and distribution of caries among the Iron Age population (about 2200 years BP) buried in the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence, distribution, and intensity of dental caries in the Iron Age population of northern China in order to increase knowledge about the type of food, dietary habit, and social stratification in this Iron Age people.Materials and methodsThe samples analyzed were dental remains of 1548 permanent teeth from 69 male individuals unearthed from the Qin archaeological site of Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum in Lintong (northern China). The sex and the age-at-death of the samples were estimated.ResultsOverall frequency of antemortem tooth loss in the samples was 0.8%. The proportion of individuals with at least one carious tooth was 65.2%, and the frequency of carious lesions was 9.4%, both showing a trend to rise as age increased. Data obtained on dental caries and antemortem tooth loss provided a corrected rate of 9.5% of teeth with caries. The most frequent carious lesions were occlusal lesions (2.6%), followed by interproximal (2.5%) and buccal/lingual lesions (1.0%). Tooth type analysis showed that molars had the highest percentage of caries (18.6%), followed by premolars (4.5%), canines (3.0%), and incisors (3.0%). The total SRCI was 1.6, increasing with age.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that dental caries may be related, at least in part, to the subsistence and diet of this Iron Age population.     

Prevalence of dental caries and tooth wear in a Neolithic population (6700-5600 years BP) from northern China

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence, distribution and intensity of dental caries as well as tooth wear in Neolithic population of northern China to increase our knowledge about the type of food, dietary habit and social stratification in this Neolithic population.

Materials and methods

The samples analysed were dental remains of 1007 permanent teeth from 79 adult individuals, who were excavated from three Yangshao archaeological sites in the Xi’an district and adjacent Counties (northern China). The sex and the age-at-death of the samples were estimated.

Results

The frequency of antemortem tooth loss in the samples was 1.6%. The proportion of individuals with at least one carious tooth reached 41.8%, and the frequency of carious lesion was 5.7%. The most frequent carious lesions were occlusal lesions (4.4%), followed by interproximal (1.4%) and buccal/lingual lesions (0.4%). All 79 individuals were affected by attrition (100%) with various degrees of dental wear observed. The anterior teeth were much more worn than the posterior ones. The frequency of caries in men (3.9%) was significantly lower than that in women (8.1%), but the prevalence of tooth wear in men (99.0%) was significantly higher than that in women (95.2%).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that both caries and tooth wear may be related to the subsistence and diet of this Neolithic population.     

Optimal camera and illumination angulations for detection of interproximal caries using quantitative light-induced fluorescence

The aim of the study was to find the optimal illumination and camera angulations for interproximal use of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). A multiaxis optical bench was developed and interproximal tooth assemblies were investigated using a modified version of QLF. Extracted human premolars without caries (n = 8) and with interproximal D1, D2 and D3 caries (n = 20) were selected. Tooth-pair models without caries and with interproximal caries of matching size, location, and shape were imaged with varying camera and illumination directions from buccal (0 degrees) to occlusal (90 degrees) to lingual (180 degrees) in steps of 30 degrees using a PC and framegrabber and examined for observed presence. Interproximal lesions could be detected in all teeth, but observed presence was dependent on camera angulation (p < 0.05), rather than on illumination angulation (p = 0.32). No caries could be detected with the camera in the 90 degree position.     

Caries frequency and distribution in an early medieval Avar population from Austria

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine frequency and distribution of dental caries in an early medieval Avar population from Central Europe, namely Vienna.
Methods:  The evaluation of caries was carried out in an anthropological sample consisting of the remains of 136 individuals and included 2215 permanent teeth. Age and sex estimations were based on dental development and on skeletal ageing methods. The presence of dental caries was determined according to clinical aspects using a dental probe.
Results:  The frequency of ante mortem tooth loss in the sample was 23.8%; the total caries frequency was calculated as 14.9%. The highest caries rate was recorded in the second mandibular molar (34.6%). The most affected tooth surface was found to be the root with 12.7%, followed by the approximal surface with 8.6%, but only 7.7% of the occlusal surfaces were affected by caries.
Conclusion:  This study revealed that Avars suffered from higher caries rates than most other medieval European populations, but experienced a similar dental caries distribution. Attrition of the occlusal surface resulting from a diet containing abrasive particles with accompanying posteruptive tooth movement is considered the major factor causing this premodern caries pattern.     

新石器时代人牙齿的龋病状况分析

目的调查距今六千年左右新石器时期古人牙齿的龋病状况,以探求龋病的发生发展趋势。方法观察记录并统计了西安半坡博物馆馆藏73例人头颅骨全部牙齿的龋病情况,用SPSS12.0软件对913颗牙齿进行统计学分析。结果当时人群患龋率为26.03%,龋齿率为2.85%,总龋均为0.35。从龋患在牙面上的分布看,当时人群的牙合面龋最多,占全部龋患的73.08%,其次为邻面龋,占50.00%。不同牙位龋患发生的多少顺序为M2>M3>M1>P2,第二磨牙的患龋率最高;龋病罹患在性别上无显著性差异。结论新石器时代半坡人的龋病发病较现代人低,随着物质文明的发展人类的龋患率不断增高。     

Tooth and surface patterns of dental caries in 12-year-old urban children in East Africa

In this report on the findings of a baseline study designed to monitor changes in the prevalence of dental caries in 12-yr-old children in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, the details relating to the pattern of carious attack on particular tooth and surface types are described. In both populations molars accounted for over 90% of all affected teeth and in both groups first molars were more affected than second molars. Very few anterior teeth were affected in either population, though caries of the incisors and canines accounted for a greater proportion of affected teeth in Nairobi (3.4%) than in Dar es Salaam (0.6%). Significantly more mandibular first and second molars were affected in Dar es Salaam than in Nairobi, though in Nairobi the maxillary first molars were more affected than in Dar es Salaam. Occlusal surfaces were the most common site for caries in both populations. With the exception of buccal surfaces, smooth surface caries tended to be higher in Nairobi than in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam children had, however, a significantly higher mean DFS score for occlusal surfaces. The preponderance of occlusal caries indicates that relatively simple restorative care is required to meet the needs of the two populations, and it is suggested that such care could be largely provided by auxiliary dental personnel.     

The effect of chewing sugar-free gum on plaque regrowth at smooth and occlusal surfaces

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Chewing gum has the potential to provide oral health benefits including plaque control. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of chewing sugar free gum on plaque regrowth at buccal, lingual and occlusal surfaces of teeth. METHOD AND MATERIALS: 11 healthy and dentally-fit dental hygiene students participated in this randomised, single-blind crossover 4-day plaque regrowth study. From a zero plaque score on day 1, subjects suspended oral hygiene measures and either chewed gum or did not chew gum over 4 days. Gum chewing was one piece chewed for 30 min 4 x per day. On day 4, subjects were scored for plaque after disclosing from buccal, lingual and unrestored occlusal surfaces. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in smooth surface plaque scores between the treatments but significantly less plaque accumulated (44%) at occlusal surfaces during gum chewing compared to no gum chewing. CONCLUSION: Chewing gum can reduce plaque accumulation at sites of predilection for caries but has little or no effect at sites of predilection for gingivitis.     

Dental anatomy and coronal cementum in the Mongolian gerbil

The embryogenesis and morphologic characteristics of the teeth and supporting structures of the Mongolian gerbil were studied in animals ranging in age from ten days to five years. Three molar teeth are present in each quadrant and consist of three, two, and one lobe respectively. The occlusal surfaces are flat and devoid of enamel. The lobular nature of the teeth effects a series of buccal and lingual grooves extending almost the entire height of the crown. On the buccal and lingual prominences of the crown lobes and on the interproximal surface, the enamel is covered by a thin layer of cementum which runs one-sixth up the height of the tooth. Within the grooves, a thick covering of globular-like cementum, which is continuous with the root covering, can be seen.     

Dental caries prevalence of medieval Korean people

Objectives

Prevalence and distribution of dental caries in medieval Korean society were evaluated.

Materials and methods

Two thousand and nine hundred teeth samples of 126 individuals collected from 16th to 18th century Korean tombs.

Results

Preservation status of sample was good. The prevalence of ante- and postmortem tooth loss was 4.4% and 14.2%, respectively. The total caries prevalence was 3.9%. The tooth surface most frequently affected by dental caries was occlusal (4.5%), followed by approximal (2.1%), buccal (1.5%), and lingual (1.1%) surfaces.

Discussion

The prevalence of dental caries in Joseon Dynasty skeleton collection was lower than have been found in other collections of similar chronology. The low consumption of refined sugar in medieval Korean society might be a possible explanation, though the technical limitations inherent in such comparison studies preclude definitive conclusions.     

Caries prevalence in the deciduous dentition of a mediaeval population from the Southwest of Scotland

The prevalence, distribution and location of dental caries were studied in the deciduous dentition of 185 skeletons aged between 6 months and 13 years from a large, mostly mediaeval, cemetery, where successive phases of use could be distinguished. The main phases dated from 1240 to 1440 AD. During this period, no consistent trend or pattern of caries was identified, but there was a significantly higher caries prevalence in the age band 6–12.9 years than in the age band 0.1–5.9 years. The caries prevalence in the juveniles from the earlier Northumbrian, or Anglo-Saxon, phase of the cemetery was higher than in any mediaeval phase group, with mostly approximal surfaces affected. In the mediaeval population, first deciduous molars generally showed lower caries prevalence than second deciduous molars, significantly lower for the older age band, and maxillary molars consistently showed lower levels than mandibular molars. The highest caries rate, shown by mandibular second molars in the older age band, was 7.9%. In deciduous molars, the occlusal surface was most frequently affected by caries, whereas in the permanent molars of the same population the approximal surfaces had shown the highest level of attack. The overall caries prevalence in deciduous teeth in the mediaeval population of Whithorn was 2.3% of the teeth present, lower than the levels found in previous Scottish and English population groups, including a small assemblage of children from the Scottish sites of Elcho, Southwick and Kirkhill.     

Effect of monthly prophylaxis on caries and gingivitis in schoolchildren

ABSTRACT The effect of professional prophylaxis given each month to individual children was investigated. A total of 225 schoolchildren, 10–12 years of age, participated during the experimental year. Each prophylactic session required about 15 min, and included tooth-brushing instructions, professional tooth cleansings and fluoride rinses. Significantly fewer new interproximal carious lesions were obtained in the experimental group compared with the control group. No differences were observed for occlusal, buccal or lingual surfaces. The frequency of gingivitis was significantly reduced during the year of trial in the experimental group. The efficacy of the preventive treatment was most noticeable in children with high caries experience. For clinical practice monthly prophylaxes could be recommended to the most susceptible individuals.     

Epidemiology of dental caries in the premolar and second molar teeth of Scottish children in relation to pits and fissures

To evaluate the potential benefits from elimination of dental caries in the fissures of teeth, surface patterns of decay were calculated for all surfaces of the premolar and second molar teeth of 98 children followed longitudinally for 5 years, between ages 11 and 15 years. Tooth eruption and susceptibility were also examined in relation to the administration of sealant programs. The children who were part of the control group of a fluoride dentifrice study on the Scottish Isle of Lewis, had low exposure to fluorides, high caries attack and very low restorative treatment levels; so true surface caries distribution was not masked. Variation in tooth eruption and susceptibility suggested that semiannual applications of preventive agents at each year age 10 through 15 might be required. Using hypothetical percentage reductions, the substantial potential benefits for caries control of the early use of completely retained occlusal, as well as buccal and lingual (molars), fissure sealants are conclusively demonstrated. However, improvements in the present technology of fissure sealants and their application are apparently required if these benefits are to be extended to large groups of children.     

Prevalence and distribution of dental caries in a late medieval population in Finland.

The aim was to document the late medieval material and to compare the results with findings in other medieval populations and present-day Finns. The sample consisted of the remains of 410 individuals and included 4581 permanent and 600 deciduous teeth. Age determination was based on the stage of dental development and on the attrition pattern in the molar region. Scoring the presence and location of caries was done visually with the aid of a dental probe. In the younger age groups, caries was most prevalent in the occlusal fissures, but the proportion of cavities at these sites declined with age, possibly because occlusal attrition progressed more rapidly than did caries. In the permanent dentition, carious lesions were most frequently observed at the cementum-enamel junction, particularly on the approximal surfaces. The prevalence of caries was lower than among modern populations of similar ages. In addition, the relative distribution of caries was strikingly different, with root caries being the most common type.     

Location of dental erosion in a referred population.

The aim of the study reported here was to determine locations of dental erosion and whether or not it is possible to decide the cause of erosion from the location. One hundred and six patients with dental erosion, 54 men and 52 women, mean age of 33.6 years, were studied. Erosion was classified as one of three grades on buccal, lingual or occlusal/incisal surfaces. Dietary and gastric causes of erosion were identified by means of a questionnaire. Erosion was observed on all teeth, but was commonest on the upper incisors, canines and premolars, and severest on palatal surfaces. In both groups, in which erosion had gastric and dietary causes, there were cases of buccal, lingual and occlusal erosion, but the risk of lingual erosion was 1.9 times greater in the group in which erosion had a gastric cause than in the group in which erosion had a dietary cause. Our findings indicate, however, that the cause of dental erosion cannot reliably be identified by location of the lesion.     

Application of life table methodology in determining dental caries rates

Probabilities of caries risk over time measured from eruption of first and second molars are illustrated using life table methodology. Life table rates based on 4,365 children in the National Preventive Dentistry Demonstration Program indicate that both fluoridation and sealants are effective in preventing caries on occlusal and buccal/lingual surfaces of molars. Effectiveness would probably have been greater on occlusal surfaces if sealants had been applied closer to the time of eruption. Similarities and differences between conventional DMFS indices and life table probabilities are discussed.     

南京市城区12岁学生龋病流行状况抽样调查

目的：了解南京市城区12岁学生龋病流行状况,为开展学生龋病预防提供依据。方法：对南京市城区小学12岁学生进行龋病状况抽样调查750例。结果：12岁学生恒牙患龋率25．60％,龋均0．503;第一恒磨牙患龋率最高,其中殆面及颊／腭侧面,分别占第一恒磨牙龋的61．33％、36．40％;仅有46颗（1．53％）第一恒磨牙做过窝沟封闭;龋齿充填率仅为14．06％。结论：南京市城区小学12岁学生患龋水平略有下降,但充填率低,仍应加强学生口腔健康教育和龋病预防工作。     

The burden of restorative dental treatment for children in Third World countries

OBJECTIVE: To analyse whether developing countries have sufficient health dollars to treat existing diseases in general and dental caries in particular in their child population. METHODS: Assessments of the costs of treating existing and future caries by the conventional approach. Analysis of WHO dental databases and spreadsheet calculations of costs based upon population projections, prevalence and trends in patterns of caries. FINDINGS: Even though the caries levels are low and most of the disease occurs on the occlusal and the buccal/lingual surfaces, more than 90% of the dental caries remains untreated in Third World countries. Calculations reveal that to restore the permanent dentition of the child population of low-income nations using traditional amalgam restorative dentistry would cost between pounds 1,024 ($US1618) and pounds 2,224 ($US3513) per 1,000 children of mixed ages from 6 to 18 years. This exceeds the available resources for the provision of an essential public health care package for the children of 15 to 29 low-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: To treat caries with the traditional method of restorative dentistry is beyond the financial capabilities of the majority of low-income nations, as three-quarters of these countries do not even have sufficient resources to finance an essential package of health care services for their children.     

Distribution and prevalence of mutans streptococci in the human dentition

The prevalence of mutans streptococci was determined in 14,859 samples of plaque from all available tooth surfaces in 114 subjects. The clinical examination included location of incipient caries lesions, fillings, and crowns. Mutans streptococci were detected on 40% of all tooth surfaces. The frequency distribution of mutans streptococci and the level of colonization showed a decreasing gradient from molars to incisors for buccal, lingual, occlusal, and approximal surfaces. The location and number of approximal restorations were closely related to the colonization level of mutans streptococci except for second and third molars. Restored surfaces tended to be more colonized by mutans streptococci than sound surfaces, except for occlusal surfaces. A high prevalence of mutans streptococci was found in plaque samples from tooth-colored fillings, especially on buccal and lingual surfaces.