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Results for “Root Caries”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

The effect of stannous and sodium fluoride on coronal caries, root caries and bone loss in rice rats.

Sixty rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) were divided by littermate into 3 groups of 20 each. The 3 groups received either SnF2 (1000 parts/10(6) F), NaF (1000 parts/10(6] or double-distilled water (control). Test solutions were topically applied to molar teeth, twice daily, for 7 days. All rats were also provided with double-distilled drinking water and diet 2000 ad libitum. Experiments ended after 9 weeks. Alveolar bone loss, root and coronal caries were recorded and scored. SnF2 significantly reduced bone loss (p less than 0.05), but NaF did not. Root caries was significantly different in all 3 groups (p less than 0.05). SnF2 and NaF both reduced coronal caries significantly (p less than 0.05) in comparison to the control. However, the fluoride groups were not significantly different from each other. SnF2 may influence root caries via remineralization and an antimicrobial effect of the stannous ion.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Root caries and root defects in urban and rural adults: the Florida Dental Care Study.

As part of the Florida Dental Care Study--a longitudinal study of risk factors for changes in dental health--the authors examined and interviewed 873 adults aged 45 years and older. During the examination, clinicians noted the number of teeth present and the participant's dental condition, including presence of root caries and fillings or noncarious defects on the roots. The interview was conducted to collect demographic and other information such as the adults' perceptions about dental care and their perceptions about their own dental health. The authors found that men, African-Americans, adults living in rural areas and those living in poverty were significantly more likely to have root caries than other participants. The data reported in this article will serve as baseline information for subsequent research.

Aged↗

PubMed1980

Assessing root caries in populations: the evolution of the root caries index.

This paper traces the history of the epidemiologic assessment of root caries over the past 30 years. This history clearly points out that a critical junction has been reached between the state-of-the art for the reporting of root caries and the demand placed on research and service components of the oral health system. If progress is to be made, it is imperative that a uniform reporting method for root caries be adopted. This paper introduces the Root Caries Index (RCI) as an index that should prove to be a feasible and utilitarian method for reporting root caries data in descriptive and analytic epidemiologic studies as well as assessing the results of preventive and treatment agents, clinical trials. The Root Caries Index represents, in the evolution of a root caries measurement method, a refinement of the delineation of the true intraoral "population at risk" to the disease process. The resulting index is a true attack rate for supragingival root caries lesions. This development should permit more meaningful comparison of populations, clearer interpretations regarding risk factors, and more precise assessment of preventive and treatment agents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Human root caries: microbiota of a limited number of root caries lesions.

The microbiota of root caries lesions of different grades of severity were studied. Fourteen lesions were examined. The experimental design of the study allowed correlation of histopathologically distinguishable stages with specific and distinct microbial populations. Dentin samples were ground in a sterile mortar and cultured anaerobically on nonselective Columbia blood agar plates supplemented with 5% hemolyzed human blood and on media selective for Lactobacillus spp. and streptococci. The cultivable microbiota were quantitatively speciated using Rapid ID 32A, Rapid ID 32 Strep, API 20 Strep, APIZYM, and API50 CH tests and SDS-PAG electrophoresis. In initial as well as in advanced lesions gram-positive bacteria accounted for approximately 90% of the CFUt. The proportion of Actinomyces, and in particular A. naeslundii was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in initial lesions than in advanced lesions. In contrast, the percentage of Streptococcus and especially S. mutans was higher (p < 0.05) in advanced than in initial lesions. Surprisingly low (0.8% of the CFUt) was the percentage of lactobacilli in advanced lesions. Gram-negative bacteria formed a minor part of the microbiota in both initial and advanced lesions. Among the gram-negative isolates, Prevotella, Selenomonas, and Bacteroides spp. were most noticeable. In advanced lesions, only the outermost layer of 0.5 mm thickness was populated by a high number of bacteria; the following segments harbored a negligible number of bacteria only. It is concluded that root caries is a continuous destruction process which is restricted to a subsurface zone of limited depth. The necrotic dentin is successively worn away, leading to a saucer-shaped cavitation which is repopulated by plaque. The creation of cavitations favors an aciduric flora. This might explain the succession of bacterial populations observed during the destruction process.

Actinomyces↗

PubMed1989

Ultrastructural study on human root caries.

Superficial root caries lesions of incisors and premolars of 24 patients aged 52-60 years were studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In the predominantly gram-positive bacteria of the root dental plaque, a great number of corncob configurations were observed. Bacterial infiltration into cementum occurred without any gradient of demineralization and mainly followed the borders between calcified cementum bundles as well as incremental lines. The narrow channels which were filled initially by a single row of gram-positive bacteria broadened progressively with simultaneous destruction of the apatite minerals and the collagenous matrix. Root dentin invasion showed great similarities to coronal dentin with an important gradient of demineralization. In the deep layers, sclerosed tubules contained sometimes rhombohedral crystals. In more superficial layers, bacterial invasion occurred initially in still partially sclerosed tubules. Tubular lumens as well as lateral side branches which had lost their peritubular dentin were filled with gram-positive microorganisms. An important diffuse destruction of the apatite minerals was observed at this stage in the intertubular dentin which still presented typical cross-banded collagen fibrils. The confluence of enlarged dentinal tubules filled by numerous microorganisms led to large bacterial zones with complete destruction of root dentin.

Bacteria↗

PubMed1987

Relationship between root caries and coronal decay.

The relationship between caries on root surfaces and untreated coronal lesions was analyzed. A representative sample of 5028 persons was examined, their mean ages being 47.3 years for men and 47.7 for women. Poor dental health on root surfaces was associated with poor dental health in the coronal areas of the teeth. Subjects with root caries had fewer teeth and fewer fillings, more retained roots and more teeth with untreated coronal decay than did people with no root caries. Compared with the subjects without untreated coronal decay, those with from one to three decayed coronal surfaces showed an odds ratio of 4.5 of having caries on root surfaces. This ratio was 10.1 for the subjects who had more than three decayed coronal surfaces. It was concluded that factors related to the occurrence of decay are of a similar type whether caries is situated on root surfaces or in the coronal areas of the teeth, and therefore the prevention of caries in both sites may be accomplished by similar means.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Dental caries in the elderly. 2. Root caries. Symptoms and treatment guidelines].

Guidelines for treatment of root surface caries in the elderly are presented. Caries susceptibility of these surfaces may be reduced by the absorbtion of fluoride and other minerals from the oral fluids. Early signs of root caries are a matte appearance and a softening of the root surface. Discoloration and cavity formation appear later. Insufficient filling margins on the root and the cemento-enamel junction are typical sites for root caries development. Early diagnosis through thorough clinical examination is important, since preventive treatment of primary root caries lesions has a better long term prognosis than restorative treatment. Glass-ionomers are a natural choice for the restoration of root caries lesions. Fluorides are efficient for root caries prevention in the elderly dental patient. An annual caries increment exceeding 2 lesions is considered indicative of a reinforced prophylactic program; when exceeding 5 lesions, the patient should be examined after a few months, to ascertain stop in caries progression.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Root caries.

Increasing interest in root caries has resulted in several reports during the year. Problems with diagnosis, epidemiology, structural histopathology, and treatments have clarified some problems concerning root caries. Only active lesions should be registered, but it is important to search for lesions in the periodontal pocket. In several countries, root caries have been found in 30% to 50% of elderly people. In structural investigations, remineralization may occur as irregular precipitation of crystals clearly distinguishable from those of normal sound dentin. Presence of plaque with gram-positive bacteria is closely associated with root caries. Treatment with varnish containing chlorhexidine and thymol may have a reducing effect. Little has been written about the operative treatment of root caries.

Dental Caries↗

PubMed1990

Root caries in older people attending a general dental practice in East Sussex.

With increasing numbers of older people retaining their natural dentitions, dentists are becoming increasingly aware of the problem of dental caries occurring on exposed root surfaces--root caries. This study reports the prevalence of root caries in a selected older population, living in the community and attending a general dental practice in Bexhill, East Sussex. A total of 146 non-institutionalised people, aged at least 55 years with at least 12 teeth, were examined. Most of the subjects (88.4%) had evidence of root caries, males and denture wearers having more lesions than females and non-denture wearers, respectively. Active coronal caries was present in only 11.6% of the subjects, whereas active (soft or leathery) root caries lesions were present in 31.5% of the subjects. The teeth and surfaces most commonly affected by root caries were found to be similar to those seen in previous epidemiological surveys. The majority of active root caries lesions were within 1 mm of the gingival margin, while inactive lesions tended to be greater than or equal to 1 mm from the gingival margin. Colour of root caries lesions was not diagnostic of caries activity. A more detailed method of recording root caries lesions is also described.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Oral hygiene and root caries occurrence in Slovenian adults.

This study investigated root caries related findings made in connection with basic clinical dental routines. A total of 410 adults, mean age 42.8 years, seeking dental care in two Slovenian communities, rural Ravne and urban Ljubljana, during a three-month period, were clinically examined for root caries. Primary root caries was defined as a softened yellowish-brown lesion gently penetrable by an explorer and situated principally on a root surface. Past root caries was defined as fillings at a similar location. A subject's oral hygiene was judged clinically as good, fair or poor, based on presence of dental plaque and subgingival calculus. Subjects' background variables included age, gender, and number of teeth. Subjects had on average 23.1 teeth, from which 0.8 teeth had primary root caries and 0.4 had fillings on root surfaces. Primary root caries occurred in 42 per cent of subjects, in 38 per cent of men and 45 per cent of women (P = 0.21), but fillings on root surfaces in only 19 per cent of the subjects, 11 per cent of men and 25 per cent of women (P = 0.001). The strongest factors explaining the presence of root caries, with control for other factors, were poor oral hygiene (odds ratio 3.1), smaller number of teeth (odds ratio 2.3 to 2.7), and older age (odds ratio 2.1). In conclusion, in everyday clinical dental practice, more emphasis should be placed on patients' proper oral hygiene and their encouragement and motivation to achieve it.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Salivary findings, daily medication and root caries in the old elderly.

Root caries is one of the main dental problems among the dentate old elderly. The aim of our study was to evaluate the occurrence of root caries in 196 dentate elderly (mean age 79.3) in relation to their salivary flow rate, buffering capacity and salivary microbial counts. These subjects participated in the oral health component of the Helsinki Aging Study in 1990-1991. Clinical oral examinations included assessment of the state of root surfaces and salivary flow rates, both paraffin-wax-stimulated and unstimulated. Salivary buffering capacity and the growth of salivary mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts were determined by means of commercially available kits. Root caries occurred in 52% of men and in 35% of women (p < 0.05). Number of decayed (DRS) and decayed or filled (DFRS) root surfaces correlated (r = 0.16 to 0.26) with salivary microbial counts. No correlation appeared between DRS and subjects' salivary flow rates. Basic estimates on the association between DRS and salivary findings showed that microbial counts only produced significant odds ratios, from 2.0 to 3.5. However, in a log-linear model high salivary mutans streptococci and yeast counts together with male gender were associated with greater occurrence of root caries.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Root caries and some related factors in 88-year-old carriers and non-carriers of Streptococcus sobrinus in saliva.

The prevalence of caries on exposed root surfaces in 88-year-old subjects with and without salivary levels of Streptococcus sobrinus was studied. Ninety-two individuals were examined with regard to root caries lesions and fillings. The root caries index (RCI) was calculated and related to salivary flow rate and buffer capacity, plaque score and salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans, S. sobrinus and lactobacilli. In 89 subjects with exposed root surfaces, all but 2 harbored mutans streptococci; 51 subjects carried S. mutans only, 35 both S. sobrinus and S. mutans, and 1 S. sobrinus only. The RCI was significantly higher in persons with than those without S. sobrinus (p < 0.05). Subjects with both S. sobrinus and S. mutans had higher counts of total mutans streptococci and lactobacilli than subjects with only S. mutans (p < 0.05). The RCI was significantly correlated to S. sobrinus and S. mutans (p < 0.05). The positive correlation between the RCI and S. sobrinus was still significant when the other tested variables were kept constant, whereas the correlation between the RCI and S. mutans was weaker when S. sobrinus and lactobacilli were kept constant. The D-component of the RCI (DSr%) was significantly correlated to S. sobrinus, S. mutans and lactobacilli, whereas the F-component of the RCI showed no significant correlation to any of the tested variables. A stepwise multiple correlation showed that the variance of DSr% was best explained in the S. sobrinus carriers by S. sobrinus and the salivary buffer effect, and in the non-carriers by S. mutans.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Root caries: prevention and chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Root caries is a problem of importance among dentate elderly. Greater life expectancies at both birth and age 65, combined with improvements in tooth retention across all age groups, have resulted in an increasing number of Americans who have retained their teeth into old age. This increase in numbers of teeth combined with the increase in the percent of teeth with recession has in turn resulted in older persons with more root surfaces at risk for caries than ever before. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the prevention and chemotherapeutic approach to root caries. METHODS: A review of the literature and synthesis of this information resulted in recommendations for the improved root caries risk assessment and the development of clinical examination protocols and strategies for prevention and treatment. RESULTS: Clinicians can better identify persons at risk for root caries in their practice. People who are older, have moderate to severe periodontal bone loss and gingival recession, are impaired, have poor oral hygiene, take multiple medications, have partials, have retained root tips and the recently unemployed or retired are all at increased risk for root caries. Examination strategies should include the use of at least annual bite-wing radiographs (vertical bite-wings in persons with significant attachment loss) and careful examination of the proximal tooth surfaces. Once identified as low, moderate or high risk, daily and professionally applied fluoride therapies should be combined with dietary modifications, and in high risk individuals, antimicrobial agents for both the remineralization of early lesions and prevention of further root caries.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Restorative treatment for geriatric root caries.

The restorative management of root caries poses many challenges to the clinician. The clinical features of root caries and current restorative techniques using new adhesive materials are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

[Is there a connection between coronal and root caries involvement?].

The relationship between coronal and root caries was analyzed in a sample of 963 people aged 25 to 64 years. Subjects with root caries had fewer teeth, more teeth with untreated coronal caries, and more teeth which need conservative treatments and extractions than did people with no root caries. In the age older than 55 years those with root caries had more teeth in the average of 2.5 teeth for both sexes. The other parameters of dental health showed the same differences compared with younger subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Evaluation of sodium fluorescein for quantitative diagnosis of root caries.

The diagnosis of root caries, in particular the judgment of the activity of a visually observed lesion, is difficult. Quantitative determination of lesion severity would allow the lesion to be monitored with time, so that an indication of lesion activity could be obtained. This paper describes a step in the development of a method that provides such a quantitative determination. Specifically, fluorescein sodium salt is used as a penetrating dye, the subject of study being the relationship between dye concentration and porosity in demineralized root dentin. Fourteen human third molars were demineralized in vitro (lactic acid CMC-gel, pH 5; in each of 6 groups for 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, and 21 days). Fluorescein sodium salt (0.2 g/L) was applied for 2 min. Thin slices (+/- 130 microns) were cut from the root surfaces without water cooling. The dye fluorescence radiance in the demineralized dentin was determined by means of a micro-Raman spectroscope and compared with the mineral loss profiles measured with transverse microradiography (TMR). The TMR data were corrected for the difference in measurement area between the two measurement systems. Corrected TMR profiles were compared with the corresponding fluorescence scans, showing linear correspondence. The correlation coefficient was r = 0.96. We conclude that, after uptake of fluorescein sodium salt for 2 min, the dye concentration in an artificially produced root-surface caries lesion is proportional to the amount of mineral lost from that lesion.

Dentin↗

PubMed1997

Visualization of root caries lesions by means of a diazonium dye.

A diazonium dye was used to visualize caries lesions in root tissue. Root caries lesions were created in vitro according to a variety of protocols based on methylcellulose gel (6% w/v) and/or lactic acid buffer (0.05 M, pH 4.5). Teeth containing lesions were soaked overnight in an alkaline solution of 2% (w/v) 2-naphthol or resorcinol, rinsed with distilled water, and immersed in a diazonium solution (prepared by titration of aniline with sodium nitrite in 1 M HCl at 5 degrees C) for up to 10 min, prior to being thoroughly rinsed with distilled water. The area of the caries lesion on the anatomical surface was clearly marked with a red/orange color following 5 minutes' incubation in the diazonium solution. The diazonium complex formed with 2-naphthol was found to be more resistant to leaching during rinsing and sectioning than that formed with resorcinol. Microscopic examination of sections taken in the apicalcoronal plane showed that the depth of area of the lesion was also marked by the red/orange coloration. Chemical changes in root mineral monitored during lesion formation showed some degree of correlation between lesion area and mineral dissolution. Visualization of coronal caries by this technique is currently under investigation. The visualization technique provides a simple means of determining the extent and severity of root caries lesions and may be a useful first step in their classification.

Calcium↗

PubMed1997

Root caries in the older patient: significance, prevention, and treatment.

Root caries is an emerging challenge to the dental professions because of the growing number of increasingly aging adults who have retained many or all of their teeth. Risk factors for developing root caries point to both intraoral and environmental factors, making the management of root caries complex and multidisciplinary. Prevention based on a composite of risk factors is the most desirable approach for management. Patients who have developed caries of the roots can be treated with remineralization strategies, recontouring techniques, intracoronal restorations of a variety of established and recently introduced materials, or extracoronal restoration. Dental professionals need to keep abreast of new approaches that are emerging for the management of root caries.

Adult↗