Dental caries on adjacent approximal tooth surfaces in relation to order of eruption.

The occurrence of dental caries on adjacent approximal molar and premolar tooth surfaces was examined on posterior bitewing radiographs. More distal surfaces of the first permanent molars were decayed than adjacent mesial surfaces of the second molars. The appearance of dental caries on adjacent premolar surfaces was related to the order of eruption; the surface that had erupted first was likely to be decayed first. Reports from other studies on adjacent approximal surfaces indicate that this conclusion has a general bearing. It therefore seems important to increase the caries resistance of already erupted teeth by preventive means before and during the eruption of adjacent teeth.