Prevention of dental caries on the first permanent molars with fluoride gel in the first year after eruption

Abstract

Introduction: The first permanent molars (M1) are especially sensitive to caries attack immediately after eruption. The questions concerning the effect of preventive methods during this period in groups at low risk of caries are insufficiently studied. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of caries prevention of M1 in the first year after eruption by means of fluoride gel in groups with low risk of caries.

Methods: A clinical study including 213 seven-year-old children from Plovdiv was conducted in the course of one year. The children were assigned to two groups--experimental and control. In both groups children without clinical caries on M1 were included. The sampling procedure excluded subjects with multiple and diffuse obturations of the deciduous teeth, inadequate oral hygiene or undergoing orthodontics treatment. In the experimental groups four applications with 0.42% fluoride gel were performed at three months intervals.

Results: At the end of the study period the prevalence rate of caries on teeth and on dental surfaces was higher in the control group (P < 0.001). Caries reduction in the experimental group was 73.81% on the teeth and 73.12% on the dental surfaces.

Conclusions: The results of our study show that immediately after eruption the first permanent molars are susceptible to caries in individuals at low risk of caries. This necessitates prevention activity during this period irrespective of the presumed risk. The fluoride gel applied by the author shows high anticaries activity on M1 in the first year after the eruption.