Abstract
It is an obvious fact that dental caries contribute to a worsening of the occlusion function. Considerable restoration was required considering the influence of normal growth of the masticatory organs on function and morphology. In the present study we used the caries severity index (CSI) to classify deciduous dentition into the groups CD0-6. Regarding the influence of caries on the development of the occlusion during infancy, an investigation of the occlusal contact area, occlusal force, and average occlusal pressure evaluated with type R DENTAL PRESCALE® 50-H led to the following conclusions.
1. The occlusal contact area was significantly larger in groups CD0 and CD1 than in groups CD3, CD4, CD5 and CD6. Moreover, the corresponding value in group CD2 was also significantly higher than in the groups CD3, and CD6.
2. The occlusal force in groups CD0, CD1, and CD2 was significantly higher than in the groups CD3, CD4, CD5 and CD6.
3. Regarding average occlusal pressure no statistically significant differences were observed among the various groups.
The results suggest that occlusal contact area and occlusal force decrease with an increasing CSI. The decrease in both occlusal contact area and occlusal force was particularly evident, when the CSI exceed 10. Thus, while prevention of caries is given course, caries must be treated as early as possible to approach the physiologic occlusal development.
