[Tooth by tooth epidemiological study of caries in 3,400 children].

Abstract

The DMF index distribution and the D, M, and F distributions on the whole teeth were described from a representative sample including 3,400 children at ages 6, 9 and 12. Results showed a great symetry for dental caries on each side of the median sagittal plane. The main spots of dental attack were found and the importance of each tooth in the determination of various indexes was analyzed. At each age, the first permanent molars are the most atracked. Many children have three or four decayed molars. Concerning the eruption of permanent teeth and the loss of primary teeth, we found the same symetry of these events between upper and lower maxillar as well as from on side of the median sagittal plane to the other.