Caries risk assessment and management for the prosthodontic patient.

Prosthodontic patients are often at a high risk for caries, and assessing that risk prior to treatment is important. Historically, the nature of dental education and clinical practice has oriented clinicians toward recognizing and correcting the damaging effects of caries, rather than actively assessing and managing caries risk potential. New developments have led to better diagnostics and protocols for caries management, although one adapted to the specific needs of the prosthodontic patient has not been proposed. Our purpose is to outline caries risk assessment and management for the prosthodontic patient.