Jimenez-Gayosso Sandra I, Robles-Bermeo Norma L, Scougall-Vilchis Rogelio J, Islas-Granillo Horacio, Escoffié-Ramirez Mauricio, Casanova-Sarmiento Juan A, Villalobos-Rodelo Juan J, Casanova-Rosado Juan F, Casanova-Rosado Alejandro J, Medina-Solís Carlo E
Academic Area of Dentistry of Health Sciences Institute, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Pachuca, MEX.
Advanced Studies and Research Center in Dentistry "Dr. Keisaburo Miyata" School of Dentistry, Autonomous University of State of Mexico, Toluca, MEX.
Cureus. 2025 Apr 24;17(4):e82909. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82909. eCollection 2025 Apr.
Background Dental caries is a chronic, multifactorial, and preventable disease caused by cariogenic bacteria, fermentable carbohydrates, host factors (saliva and tooth structure), and time. In Mexico, it is a public health problem, exacerbated by the lack of access to dental care. The first permanent molar (FPM), key to occlusion and mastication, is vulnerable to bilateral caries, suggesting systemic or environmental influences. Studying its bilateral pattern would help optimize preventive strategies, especially in marginalized populations with limited resources. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of caries and bilateral occurrence in the FPMs of a sample of Mexican schoolchildren, as well as to describe the Care Index and treatment needs. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 428 FPMs from 107 children (5-12 years) treated at a pediatric dental clinic of a public university in Mexico, which provides specialized services at low cost to the general population, were evaluated. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth index, the Care Index, and the Treatment Needs Index (TNI) were recorded. Symmetry tests (Stuart-Maxwell) were used to analyze bilaterality. Data were processed with Stata 14.0 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). Results Of the total, 50.5% were boys, and the average age was 8.52±1.36. A total of 58.9% of children presented caries (overall decayed, missing, and filled teeth index: 1.90±2.01; in FPMs: 1.71±1.74), and 57.0% presented at least one affected FPM. It was observed that 43.0% had no caries experience in their four FPMs, and 28.0% had caries experience in all FPMs. The Care Index was 42.7%, and the TNI was 67.4%. The percentage of bilaterality was 84.1% for upper molars and 81.3% for lower molars. There were no significant differences in caries bilaterality between upper (p=0.1969) and lower (p=0.3896) molars, suggesting symmetry in the involvement. Conclusions Bilaterality was observed in the caries experience of the lower molars in this sample. Approximately one in four children had caries in their four FPMs. The high prevalence of caries and treatment needs underscores the urgency of affordable, preventative interventions, especially in vulnerable populations.
龋齿是一种由致龋菌、可发酵碳水化合物、宿主因素（唾液和牙齿结构）以及时间导致的慢性、多因素且可预防的疾病。在墨西哥，它是一个公共卫生问题，由于难以获得牙科护理而加剧。第一恒磨牙（FPM）是咬合和咀嚼的关键，易患双侧龋齿，这表明存在全身或环境影响。研究其双侧模式将有助于优化预防策略，特别是在资源有限的边缘化人群中。本研究旨在确定墨西哥学童样本中FPM的龋齿患病率和双侧发生率，并描述护理指数和治疗需求。
进行了一项横断面研究。对来自墨西哥一所公立大学儿科牙科诊所的107名儿童（5至12岁）的428颗FPM进行了评估，该诊所为普通人群提供低成本的专业服务。记录了龋失补牙指数、护理指数和治疗需求指数（TNI）。使用对称性检验（Stuart-Maxwell）分析双侧性。数据用Stata 14.0（美国德克萨斯州大学站StataCorp LP公司）进行处理。
总体中，50.5%为男孩，平均年龄为8.52±1.36岁。共有58.9%的儿童患有龋齿（总体龋失补牙指数：1.90±2.01；FPM中：1.71±1.74），57.0%的儿童至少有一颗受影响的FPM。观察到43.0%的儿童四颗FPM均无龋齿经历，28.0%的儿童四颗FPM均有龋齿经历。护理指数为42.7%，TNI为67.4%。上颌磨牙的双侧发生率为84.1%，下颌磨牙为81.3%。上颌（p = 0.1969）和下颌（p = 0.3896）磨牙之间的龋齿双侧性无显著差异，表明受累情况具有对称性。
在该样本中，观察到下颌磨牙的龋齿经历存在双侧性。约四分之一的儿童四颗FPM均有龋齿。龋齿患病率和治疗需求较高凸显了提供可负担的预防性干预措施的紧迫性，尤其是在弱势群体中。
