The Risk Factor of Root Caries in Patients on Supportive Periodontal Therapy

Abstract

Root caries is one of the common reason for failure during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). The purpose of this study is to identify effective indicators in predicting the occurrence of root caries.
Subjects were 50 patients who had been treated for periodontitis in the past, were in 3-6 month regular recall for SPT, and had been maintaining good oral hygiene. Plaque Index, percentage of exposed root surface, rate of saliva secretion, counts of salivary Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli, and saliva buffering capacity were studied in relation to the incidence of root caries. In addition, the effects of systemic disease, smoking, and usage fluoride products were investigated.
The average number of new root caries was 2.2±2.9 per patient. Twenty-eight patients developed new root caries during the study while twenty-two patients did not develop any lesions. Between the two groups, there were significant differences in the percentage of exposed root surface, number of existing teeth, and number of root caries observed at the first visit and during initial treatment. The number of root caries correlated significantly with the count of salivary Mutans streptococci and Lactbacilli. Fluoride application appeared to be effective.
In conclusion, the number of past incidences of root caries is an effective risk indicator of the occurrence of root caries during SPT, and the use of fluoride products is an effective means for preventing root caries. J. Jpn. Soc. Periodontol., 43: 308--316, 2001.