Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Epidemiological study regarding the frequency of the "white spot" lesion

Cristina Nuca and Corneliu Amariei

The preventive programmes applied to the young people have to be based on epidemiological studies in
which the pre-cavitated lesion must be included.
The aim of the study is to evaluate the frequency of the "white spot" lesions in a large group of children
from Constanta, aged between 8 and 13 years.
Material and methods: the study was conducted on 1024 children. As diagnostic methods was used: the
clinical exam associated with a dye as a guide for the sub-surface lesions, the bitewing radiographical
exam and the measurement of the laser-induced fluorescence of the enamel by using the Diagnodent
method.
Results: 16.82% from the examined surfaces have pre-cavitated lesions and all the occlusal and approximal
surfaces of the lateral teeth are susceptible at caries in the first years after eruption of the teeth.
Conclusion: much more attention has to be directed to the early identification and conservative treatment
of the pre-cavitated lesions of the enamel.
Key words: early diagnosis, white spot, pre-cavitated lesion, preventive programmes, conservative therapy.