[The content of chosen elements in superficial layer of enamel in milk teeth decay].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to check opportunities of early caries detection in primary dentition by using new portable device--KaVo Diagnodent. Values of Diagnodent were interpreted by Hibst and Paulus scale. It was also decided to check if this scale is useful for detecting caries in milk teeth. In this study a new author's scale was used. Values of Diagnodent were also interpreted in this scale. The object of this study was also to indicate the content of chosen elements such as fluoride, calcium and magnesium in superficial layer of milk teeth's enamel. It was accomplished by using acid biopsy of enamel. In this study, the use of this method was also assessed in primary dentition.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 children in age 3-7 were examined by dentist. There were several indicators marked, which describe these groups of children such as: dental treatment index (dti), decay, missing, filling (dmf) frequency of caries. Occlusal and buccal surfaces were checked by visual examination and by device--Diagnodent.

RESULTS: Caries were detected on 115 occlusal surfaces and on 8 buccal surfaces. Diagnodent confirmed these results indicating values > or =30 in Hibst and Paulus's scale and > or =20 in author's scale. Therefore, there was no mistake in visual examination. From primary teeth examined visually as "sound" Diagnodent judged 0.87% (Hibst and Paulus scale) of surfaces which needed to be open by drilling. On the other hand, according to author's scale, 3.83% of surfaces needed to be open by drilling.

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we can say that Hibst and Paulus scale turned out to be less useful in milk teeth. Buccal surfaces are not predisposed to develop caries in primary dentition. Majority of these surfaces stayed free from caries in both visual and Diagnodent examination. Enamel opacities were also detected by visual examination and they were also judged as needed to be open by drilling. Diagnodent appeared useful in caries detection in primary teeth by using authors scale in which 20 means obligatory dental treatment. Laboratory results of content of elements can confirm above statement. Elements such as fluoride, calcium and magnesium, which were examined, showed that the method of acid biopsy of enamel could be useful in children as a cheap, simple and safe method. Acid biopsy of enamel did not cause on the enamel surface any damages or demineralization which could be discovered visually and by Diagnodent examination. Average content of fluoride, calcium in milk teeth was lower than in permanent teeth. The reason for this could be weaker mineralization of milk teeth tissue, which correlated with deeper acid penetration in enamel. Higher content of fluoride in children with higher dti can manifest that fluoride is some kind of protection for factors, which are responsible for caries.