Purpose: This study was performed to compare the increment of carious surfaces per
year in preschool-age children with early childhood caries (ECC), children with posterior
caries only, and caries-free children after 7 to 10 years.
Methods: One hundred and fifty files of children were included in the study. The first
examination referred to the ages of 3 to 5 years (T1), and follow-up visits took place
after at least 7 years (T2). The number of carious surfaces was recorded. The study population
was divided into 3 groups: (1) caries free children (CF), (2) children with ECC,
and (3) children with posterior caries only (PC). There were 50 patients in each group.
Results: Children with ECC had 1.15±0.97 new affected surfaces per year, while cariesfree
children had an increment per year of 0.41±0.60, and children with posterior caries
only showed an increment per year of 0.74±0.64. A statistically significant difference
was found between the ECC and caries-free groups, and between the ECC and posterior
caries groups. The high increment in the ECC group is influenced by the high number
of affected surfaces in the primary teeth.
Conclusions: Children with ECC may have a high risk to develop future carious lesions
compared with caries-free children. Children with posterior caries demonstrate less carious
lesions by the age of 12 years, however, they resemble ECC children when they reach
their mid-teens.