Approximal caries and frequency of bitewing examinations in Swedish children and adolescents

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Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the number of, and time intervals between, bitewing examinations performed on a group of Swedish patients between 3 up to and including 18 yr of age and to relate them to the accumulated posterior approximal caries experience of the patients as found in the last bitewing examination before age 19. The patients showed a marked variability in approximal caries experience. 25% accounted for about 1% of the total number of carious lesions and restorations accumulated up to age 19 while 25% accounted for 60%. From age 9 up to age 18 more than 75% of the patients were subjected to at least one bitewing examination annually. Between 10 and 15 yr of age more than 90% received annual radiographic examinations. Mean number of bitewing examinations was 10.4 and the average time interval between bitewing examinations was 11.5 months. 11% of the variation in the number of bitewing examinations and 8% of the variation in average time intervals between bitewing examinations could be explained by the number of lesions and restorations in the approximal surfaces of the patients accumulated up to age 19.