Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare caries incidence and progression on sound occlusal surfaces and on surfaces presenting inactive enamel lesions in children and adolescents over 1 year and to estimate the risk of caries incidence and progression on these surfaces.
Methods: This prospective cohort study followed 200 7-15-year-old caries-inactive schoolchildren over 1 year. Stage of eruption, occlusal plaque, and occlusal caries were recorded on permanent molars. Statistical analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations with a logistic link function.
Results: Twenty-two children (11 %) presented "caries progression" (at least one active lesion on molar teeth). At site level, no difference was observed in caries incidence and progression between sites classified either sound (2.6 %) or with inactive enamel lesion (3.9 %) at the baseline examination (χ (2) test, p = 0.48). Adjusted for plaque, stage of eruption, type of molar and dental arch, inactive enamel lesions presented a similar risk for caries progression than sound occlusal surfaces (OR = 0.98, 95 % CI = 0.40-2.38).
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, no difference was observed in caries incidence, progression, and risk on sound occlusal sites in comparison with sites presenting inactive enamel lesions.
Clinical relevance: Occlusal surfaces harboring inactive caries lesions did not require additional attention than the one normally given to sound occlusal surfaces over a 1-year period.
Keywords: Caries progression; Caries risk; Clinical study; Inactive caries lesions; Occlusal surfaces; Permanent molars.