[Developmental abnormalities of mineralization in populations with varying exposure to fluorine compounds]

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of environmental factors on developmental defects of dental enamel. The examination was carried out in a group of 238 schoolchildren (group I) aged 14 to 15 years, living since birth in a region with elevated levels of chemical compounds (fluorine, ammonia, sulphur) in the atmosphere. The control group (group II) consisted of 240 schoolchildren of the same age, living in regions with normal atmospheric concentrations of these compounds. The Epidemiological Index of Developmental Defects of Dental Enamel (DDE Index), Dean fluorosis index, and DMF index were used in the clinical examination. Additionally, a questionnaire was given to parents of the examined children. It was found that the number of children and teeth with developmental defects of dental enamel was greater in group I. Significant differences between boys and girls were noticed. The most common developmental defect of dental enamel in both groups was white/creamy opacity. The next common defect was hypoplasia. The incidence of diffuse white/creamy mottling and lines was higher in the study group than in controls. This was the basic finding which differentiated the two populations studied. Both groups differed as to the Dean index. Nevertheless, a comparison of Dean and DDE indices led to inconsistent conclusions. The distribution of developmental defects of dental enamel was similar in both groups. The defects were most often found on the buccal surfaces of maxillary premolars and maxillary central incisors. Children with developmental defects of dental enamel had a significantly higher incidence of caries and elevated mean DMF, as compared to children without any abnormalities of mineralization. Similar correlations were not found in the control group. The questionnaire revealed a positive correlation between the education level of parents, standards of living, and of abnormalities mineralization in both groups of children.