bilateral occurrence of dental caries in mandibular first molar of 15-20 year old adolescents

ABSTRACT

To determine the bilateral occurrence of dental caries in mandibular first molars of 15-20 year old adolescents. This cross sectional comparative study was conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi between October 2005- March 2006. Five hundred patients including 250 boys and 250 girls were examined for dental caries using visual and tactile inspection in conjunction with bitewing radiographs. A right-tail Z-test was used to test the bilaterality levels. The bilateral occurrence of dental caries in mandibular first molar was calculated to be 66%. There was no significant difference in the bilaterality of dental caries in boys and girls. The distribution of caries was similar on the right and left sides of the oral cavity. Bilateral occurrence of dental caries was high in mandibular first molars