Objective: To estimate the prevalence of root caries in Brazilian adults and elderly.

Methods: We assessed data from the Brazilian Oral Health Survey (SBBrasil 2010). Dental examinations were performed on 9,564 adults and 7,509 elderly individuals in households in the 26 state capitals, the Federal District and 150 provincial towns. Diagnostic criteria and data assessment tools were those standardized by the World Health Organization. The outcome was measured by using root caries index and the index of decayed and filled dental roots.

Results: The prevalence of root caries was 16.7% in adults and 13.6% in the elderly. The index of decayed and filled dental roots was 0.42 and 0.32 for adults and the elderly respectively, with most of the index represented by untreated caries. The prevalence of root caries differed significantly among states capitals and provincial towns, with higher values being reported in the state capitals in the North and Northeastern Brazilian regions. In adults, the root caries index ranged from 1.4% in Aracaju to 15.1% in Salvador (both in the Northeast). Among the elderly, this index ranged from 3.5% in Porto Velho to 29.9% in Palmas (both North). Root caries was more prevalent in men than in women in both age groups.

Conclusions: There is a wide variation in root caries indices in adults and in the elderly, and between and within Brazilian regions. Most root caries is untreated. We recommend the incorporation of this disease into the oral health surveillance system.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.2013047004365DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

root caries
32
prevalence root
12
caries
9
caries prevalence
8
brazilian adults
8
root
8
oral health
8
state capitals
8
provincial towns
8
decayed filled
8

Similar Publications

This study aimed to gain knowledge of general oral health preventive measures with a specific focus on root caries preventive measures for patients ≥65 years old, performed by Norwegian dental hygienists in public and private dental health services. A secondary aim was to investigate differences and challenges in prevention practices.  Materials and methods: An electronic survey was conducted among the sample in 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Root caries pose a significant challenge in dentistry, requiring effective noninvasive preventive strategies due to poor outcomes of current restorative treatments.
  • Researchers developed PAMAM-C11, a modified peptide that binds to hydroxyapatite to prevent demineralization in caries lesions and combat periodontal destruction, enhancing mineralization and resisting washout.
  • PAMAM-C11 also protects against enzymatic breakdown in dentin, supports the growth of important stem cells for periodontal repair, and showed promising results in an in vivo rat model, suggesting its potential for clinical use in preventing root caries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background and aim Any alterations in the hormonal regulation system such as thyroid dysfunction may have an impact on oral health status, which in turn may affect their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The objective of this study was to determine the association of thyroid dysfunction on oral health status and OHRQoL of subjects with thyroid dysfunction. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 subjects with thyroid dysfunction and 150 subjects without thyroid dysfunction aged 18-60 years from a government hospital in Bangalore city.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Endodontic emergency patients' profile and treatment outcome - a prospective cohort study.

BMC Oral Health

December 2024

Department of Clinical Dentistry Section of Endodontics, The Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Background: Toothache is a debilitating condition, often with mild to excruciating pain, swelling, eating difficulties and insomnia. This study aims to delineate the profiles of patients seeking emergency dental care, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes following non-surgical root canal treatment.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted from 2012 to 2021 at the Section for Endodontics, Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Norway.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A considerable portion of the global population is affected by pulpitis and periapical lesions. While the impact of infections caused by various microbes and host effector molecules in pulpal and periapical diseases is widely recognized, disease susceptibility and progression are also influenced by the dynamic interaction between host genetic factors and environmental influences. Apical periodontitis occurs as an inflammatory response to microorganisms present in the root canals of infected teeth.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!