H P Lawrence1, R J Hunt, J D Beck. 1. Department of Dental Ecology, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill 27599-7450, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to describe the incidence of root caries and to identify its risk factors in a representative sample of older adults. METHODS: Root caries incidence was estimated and multivariate risk assessment models were developed to identify predictors for root caries in a three-year follow-up study of 234 black and 218 white noninstitutionalized adults aged 65 and older residing in North Carolina. RESULTS: During the observation period, 29 percent of blacks developed root caries, compared to 39 percent of whites (P < .05). The mean net DFS increment per person was 0.55 +/- 0.13 root surfaces for blacks vs 0.80 +/- 0.21 for whites (P > .32). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that blacks wearing a partial denture, having some root fragments, having an average gingival recession > or = 2 mm, and being free of P. intermedia were at greater risk for developing new root caries. The model for whites showed that retired people with their most severe gingival recession > or = 4 mm, an average probing pocket depth > or = 2 mm, and taking antihistamines were more likely to develop new lesions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that older blacks had less risk of root caries than whites, and in both groups indicators of poor periodontal status increased the risk of root caries.
OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to describe the incidence of root caries and to identify its risk factors in a representative sample of older adults. METHODS: Root caries incidence was estimated and multivariate risk assessment models were developed to identify predictors for root caries in a three-year follow-up study of 234 black and 218 white noninstitutionalized adults aged 65 and older residing in North Carolina. RESULTS: During the observation period, 29 percent of blacks developed root caries, compared to 39 percent of whites (P < .05). The mean net DFS increment per person was 0.55 +/- 0.13 root surfaces for blacks vs 0.80 +/- 0.21 for whites (P > .32). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that blacks wearing a partial denture, having some root fragments, having an average gingival recession > or = 2 mm, and being free of P. intermedia were at greater risk for developing new root caries. The model for whites showed that retired people with their most severe gingival recession > or = 4 mm, an average probing pocket depth > or = 2 mm, and taking antihistamines were more likely to develop new lesions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that older blacks had less risk of root caries than whites, and in both groups indicators of poor periodontal status increased the risk of root caries.
Authors: André V Ritter; John S Preisser; Yunro Chung; James D Bader; Daniel A Shugars; Bennett T Amaechi; Sonia K Makhija; Kimberly A Funkhouser; William M Vollmer Journal: Clin Oral Investig Date: 2011-12-24 Impact factor: 3.573