Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: are associated with a higher risk of proximal caries compared to open contact points.15,16 However, research on the relationship between proximal caries and specific types of OXIS contacts is sparse.Nevertheless, studies have demonstrated a significant association between OXIS contacts and approximal caries, indicating that OXIS contact is a valuable predictor for this type of caries. 11,18,19Previously, research in this field and the distribution of OXIS contacts have been limited to study populations in Puducherry, 12,14,18,19 Ajman, 14 and South Korea.11,13 Given the significant influence of genetics on the anatomic configuration of the tooth, the results of a study done on one population cannot be extrapolated to other populations.Consequently, there is a pressing need for further research to gather local data on the susceptibility of various population groups of diverse geographical regions and ethnicities to proximal caries at OXIS contact points.Thus, the present longitudinal study is an attempt to find the distribution of different types of OXIS contact areas and their individual susceptibility to proximal caries in 3-6-year-old school- IntroductIonThe "contact areas" refer to the points of contact between adjacent teeth, specifically at the proximal heights of contour on the mesial and distal surfaces.1 A properly contoured and firm contact area, positioned correctly, is crucial for maintaining the stability and integrity of the dental arches and the health of supporting structures.2,3 Current pediatric dentistry textbooks indicate that primary molar contact areas are broader, flatter, and situated more gingivally than those of permanent molars.[2][3][4] This anatomical difference may contribute to increased caries susceptibility in primary teeth due to reduced self-cleansing action and greater plaque accumulation.2,5 An ideal contact area that inhibits plaque accumulation between teeth is the key prerequisite for preventing approximal caries.6,7 Approximal caries is particularly significant in primary teeth due to challenges in diagnosis and its tendency for rapid progression.8 The rapid progression of proximal caries in primary teeth can be attributed to thinner enamel and dentin layers, lower mineralization, wider dentinal tubules compared to permanent teeth, larger pulp chambers, limited salivary access, and broad proximal contact areas.[9][10][11] In a pivotal 2018 cross-sectional study, researchers delineated four primary molar contact types-open (O), point (X), straight (I), and curved (S)-which formed the basis for the OXIS classification.5 Clinical validation of the OXIS classification among preschool-aged children was provided in 2020, affirming its utility.12 Following its introduction, the OXIS classification has been widely utilized in subsequent studies to assess primary molar contact types.[12][13][14] Most studies [15][16][17] have focused on evaluating the association of mainly two types of contacts, open and closed, with proximal caries.Closed contact points in the posterior primary dentition 1-
Authors: Seema Thakur, Geetanjali Khatri Singh, Parul Singhal, Ashish Justa
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4415986167