Caries experience in orthodontically treated individuals.

The caries ecperience in 26 girls and 26 boys living on an island outside. Bergen, who had received orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances, was examined 1.5 to 2 years after the end of treatment. The children were then between 1l and 17 years old. The remaining children of the same age group, 58 girls and 53 boys, served as controls. The orthodontic patients had received repeated hygiene instructions during the treatment period and were expected to rinse their mouth with 0.05% sodium fluoride daily. The percentage distribution of DMF-surfaces indicated somewhat less caries experience in the treated group. A chi-square test showed significantly more intact surfaces on the maxillary first molars, second premolars, canines and central incisors, and mandibular molars and second premolars in treated than in untreated children, and also demonstrated significantly fewer new lesions in the upper second molars at the time of examination in the treated groups. A comparison of the caries experience of the different surfaces revealed significantly more intact surfaces in the treated group and significantly fewer new lesions on the mesial and distal surfaces in treated in untreated children at the time of examination.