Analysis of the frequency of cemento-enamel junction caries in permanent teeth of different groups

Abstract

Annotation. Dental caries is currently one of the most widespread diseases globally and demonstrates a pronounced tendency to increase, despite the rapid development of dental science, modern capabilities, and medical technologies. The cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) is among the most vulnerable areas to carious processes. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of carious lesions at the CEJ of teeth in various age groups among residents of Lviv region. The randomized group of examined patients included 200 individuals of mature age (100 men and 100 women) seeking dental care at the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry and the therapeutic department of the Dental Center of Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University. CEJ caries was detected in 29.5% of the total examined population, including 32% of examined men and 27% of examined women. Among the examined individuals, 99.5% had carious cavities localized on the buccal surfaces of the teeth, while circular lesions of tooth 44 were found in 0.5% of patients. The frequency of CEJ caries in the upper and lower jaws was equal in women, while in men, it varied minimally. In men, the right side of the teeth was more frequently affected, while in women, the frequency of lesions on the right side of the upper jaw and the left side of the lower jaw was more than twice as high as the frequency of lesions on the opposite side. In men, CEJ caries most often affected the first premolars, canines, second premolars and lateral incisors. In women, the affected teeth were the first premolars, second premolars and canines. The least observed were lesions of CEJ caries in the molars. In terms of the percentage distribution of affected teeth, premolars constituted the largest proportion, while molars had the smallest share. The ratio of specific portions of affected teeth in different groups in men and women has features characteristic of individuals of each sex with asymmetry of lesions more pronounced in women.