RESTORATIVE CARIES TREATMENT PATTERNS IN DANISH 20-YEAR-OLD MALES IN 1986 AND 1991

This study examines the restorative caries treatment pattern in Danish 20-year-old military conscripts in 1986 and 1991. The study groups co mprised 85 and 164 males born in 1966 and 1971, respectively. The exam ination was performed as a part of the routine for each conscript acco rding to directions from Dental Service, Danish Defense Forces and inc luded surface recording of fillings on all teeth except third molars. Two bitewing radiographs were taken of all conscripts in the 1986-grou p and of those who gave permission (59) in the 1991-group. The mean nu mber of filled surfaces was 10.2 and 8.8 in 1986 and in 1991. respecti vely. 80% of the occlusal surfaces on permanent first molars were fill ed in the 1986- group and filled or sealed in the 1991-group in contra st to 45% of permanent second molars. Data from maxillary molars indic ated a tendency to placement of fillings related to tooth specific mor phology whereas extended fillings involving the entire occlusal surfac e dominated on mandibular molars. The X-ray examination disclosed that the majority of approximal molar surfaces were classified as sound in both study groups. Less than 1% of the approximal molar surfaces were recorded as having lesions penetrating deep into the dentin. In 1981 and in 1986 the participants in the study groups were 15 yr old. In th ese years the mean number of filled surfaces in Danish children amount ed to 11.0 and 6.9 respectively, which indicates that very few lesions in need of operative treatment developed from age 15 to age 20 in bot h study groups.