Timing of first restorations in permanent teeth: a new system for oral health determination

Objectives: A system of oral health determination in which times between eruption of teeth and first restorations because of caries is measured is applied in a retrospective analysis of oral health data relating to rural health centres in Finland. Method: The retrospective analysis was carried out using data relating to three health centres in different parts of Finland. The times between eruption and the placement of the first restorations in subjects up to 18 years of age were investigated. Results: Between 10% and 25% of all permanent molar teeth were filled in the year of tooth emergence —the ‘immediate posteruptive step’. A steadily increasing restoration placement rate—the ‘ascending growth phase’—was observed after the ‘posteruptive step’. The restoration rate was found to plateau 5–8 years after eruption—the ‘retardation phase’. Conclusions: Restoration increment curves with longitudinal measurements are believed to be a sensitive indication of oral health at both individual and population levels.