Avaliação radiográfica dos primeiros molares permanentes inferiores de crianças do Sudeste brasileiro

Abstract

The first molar is usually the first permanent tooth to erupt and consequently is exposed for a longer time to risk factors related to caries during mixed dentition, especially in children with poor hygiene and cariogenic diet. This study aimed to radiographically evaluate the first lower permanent molars of Brazilian children aged 6 to 12 years from the Southeast region. 1300 digital panoramic radiographs from a database and obtained independently of this research, were analyzed by a previously calibrated examiner, who initially collected data regarding the age and sex. Then, 2600 first lower permanent molars were analyzed for the presence of carious lesion in dentin, pulp involvement, presence of restorative and/or filling material and periapical lesion. Data were analyzed using the R software (p<0.05) and showed that 6.4% of the teeth presented caries lesion, 7.3% restorative material and 0.3% were absent. The mixed linear regression model showed that the advance of age was proportional to the increase in the number of missing teeth (p=0.012), decayed, restored and with periapical lesion (p<0.001). Regarding sex, there was a higher prevalence of restored teeth in females, (8.5%), against 6.1% of males (p=0.019). It was concluded that there was a low prevalence of caries lesion and low rate of loss of the permanent lower molar in children from Southeastern Brazil. The older the individual, the higher the frequencyof alterations, which did not demonstrate association with the sex, except for the higherfrequency of restorations in girls.