Tooth by tooth survival analysis of dental health in girls with epilepsy.

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyse, tooth by tooth, the timing of caries attacks leading to dental restoration in girls with epilepsy.

STUDY DESIGN

The series comprised 60 girls with epilepsy, 8-18 years old, treated in the Departments of Paediatrics or Neurology of the Oulu University Hospital. A group of healthy age matched girls served as control.

METHODS

A tooth by tooth survival analysis of the time between tooth eruption and caries attacks to a stage leading to the restorations of the permanent teeth was conducted retrospectively using data from the dental health records with annual examinations.

RESULTS

The rate of dental restorations placed due to caries was constantly higher in the girls with epilepsy than in their controls.

STATISTICS

The difference was significant between the first molars (p=<0.03), second molars (p=<0.02) and central incisors (p=<0.02) in the maxilla.

CONCLUSION

The present observation supports the hypothesis that factors related to epilepsy, the antiepileptic medication in particular, might increase the risk of caries.