Title: Root caries management in patients at high-risk
Abstract:
Extensive research has been conducted to detect new approaches for the control of dentine root caries, as its prevalence is increasing. As well as coronal caries, the determinant factors for the initiation of root caries are the presence of a cariogenic biofilm and fermentable carbohydrates. However, apatite in dentine has a lower level of mineralization, higher carbonate content and is more susceptible to acidic dissolution than enamel apatite. Although root caries can be found in young adults, its increase in the elderly. As the life expectancy has been longer overtime, it is frequent the presence of retained natural teeth and the prevalence of gingival recessions increases with age, which also increases the risk for root caries development and progression. In addition, radiation therapy of head and neck might increase the risk of radiation-related caries, as recent evidences of direct effects of radiation on tooth structure has been shown. Post-radiation dental caries lesions develop mainly at cervical area, therefore, preventing radiation-related root caries should be understood. Integrated research teams have collaborated to establish more effective projects. The interventions for management of root caries include primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Some experiments in the development of researches related to the control of root caries and radiation-related caries will be presented, ranging from updating the state of art of these events to the strategies for their treatments. In these projects, the action of a multidisciplinary team has been essential to allow the transformation of the knowledge to integrated and quality attendance of the patient.
