Root Surface Caries Case Study

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of root surface caries in the Dakshina Kannada population. 6000 patients of both gender over 15 years of age were assessed for root surface caries based on clinical examination and structured standardized interview derived from the World Health Organization Oral Health Assessment form 2013. A total of 660 patients (11%) with gingival recession exhibited root surface caries. Males exhibited higher root surface caries 11% than females in the age group of 56 to 65 years of age (36.36%). Intraoral distribution assessment of root surface caries revealed that the molars were most frequently attacked with the buccal surface showing highest presence 32.92%. Correlation between root surface caries and diet,
Failure to assess and record the presence of root surface caries would understate the prevalence of caries in any population. [1] An increase in the pattern of the prevalence of root surface caries in a population is due to an increase in the age. This pattern is associated with people retaining the dentition for a longer period of time which has led to the teeth especially the root surfaces to get exposed either physiologically or pathologically. [2 – 14] Root surface caries a preventable disease is prevalent and debilitating among the adult population. [2] Various preventive methods employed which are population based may not be effective equally. [15, 16] Intensive root surface caries preventive measures which are office based are more effective in nature but accessibility to such measures may be impossible due to cost factors especially in the rural areas. There is an increased necessity to understand and identify the risk factors and high risk individuals to steer them towards root caries preventive
The patients in this study were categorized into three groups - vegetarians, non-vegetarians with fish in their diet and non-vegetarians without fish in their diet. Prevalence of root surface caries was less in patients who consumed fish as part of their diet which is accordance with various studies. Fish is a staple diet of the Dakshina Kannada population. Sea food is rich in fluoride and protein which are contributory factors to decrease in caries. [19]

Numerous data in the literature have showed that diabetes is associated with dental disease. Diabetes has shown to increase the risk of developing dental caries. 71.36% of diabetic patients exhibited root surface caries whereas in non-diabetic patients the prevalence was 28.64%. This pattern may be attributed to hyposalivation which is commonly associated with diabetic patients. A significant higher number of caries causing microorganisms are harbored in such an environment. [17]

Analysis of root surface caries according to teeth revealed larger values in the molars which is in agreement with other studies. [22, 23, 24]. Buccal surface of molars present highest prevalence of root surface caries. However, due to absence of radiographs it is difficult to judge which surfaces are most affected, since it is easier to detect root surface caries in the buccal and lingual surfaces than in the proximal surfaces.