THE INFLUENCE OF THE CARIES DEFINITION ON DISEASE PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION IN 20-23 YEAR-OLD PERSONS IN STOCKHOLM

The aim was to investigate to what extent an extention of the caries c riterion into the dentin, may influence the need for therapeutical int ervention. Using a computerized technic, the depth of all approximal l esions in posterior teeth in 151 persons, aged 20 and 23 years, were m easured on magnified (x5) radiographs and expressed as per cent of the enamel width. The proportion diseased 20 year old persons was 88% if the criterion was any sign of caries but only 50% if the criterion was at least one lesion, reaching the dentine. When caries was defined as a lesion having a depth, corresponding the double enamel width the fi gure was 11% and the proportion surfaces in need of therapeutical trea tment constituted 2% of the total caries volume. It is concluded that an extension of the filling criterion into the superficial layers of t he dentin may reduce the need for filling therapy in 20 year old perso ns to a very low level.