Research Article
Cristina Nuca and Corneliu
Abstract
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.