Children's dental treatment requirements of first permanent molars with poor prognosis

Objectives This retrospective study aimed to (i) survey the correlation between decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT), and presence of first permanent molars (FPMs) with poor prognosis and (ii) evaluate the treatment requirements. Materials and methods Seven hundred seventy-three children with fully erupted FPMs were included in this study. DMFT for the permanent dentition, FPMs, and Global DMFT were evaluated based on clinical and radiographic evaluation. The ratio of deep dentin caries (DDC) and apical lesion presence among FPMs, including treatment requirements, were analysed. Spearman rank correlation coefficient and t tests were used for statistical analysis. Results The caries prevalence was found at 61.4%, where the mean DMFT was calculated as 1.89 +/- 2.15. There was a positive correlation between DMFT values and age (r(s) = 0.27). On the other hand, there was a negative correlation between global DMFT values and age (r(s) = - 0.29). Regarding treatment needs of FPM with poor prognosis, 12.03% of the teeth needed pulpectomy, 8.93% pulpotomy, 8.93% pulp capping, and 5.3% extraction. Having higher DMFT values was correlated significantly (p < 0.01) with the presence of DDC (r(s) = 0.50) and apical lesion (r(s) = 0.34). Susceptibility to DDC and apical lesions was significantly higher at mandible than maxilla (p < 0.01). The correlation was significant between DMFT values and apical lesion presence (p < 0.01). Conclusion The ratio of FPMs with poor prognosis was found high in the study group. Treatment requirements of FPMs increased with age, and pulp interventions often took part in the majority. This study successfully concluded that higher DMFT values were correlated with the presence of DDC and apical lesion.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the correlation between permanent molars and DMFT, finding that higher DMFT values were associated with the presence of deep dentin caries and apical lesions. The treatment needs for FPMs with poor prognosis increased with age.