Evaluation of the caries profile and caries risk in adults with endodontically treated teeth.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was set up to explore (1) a potential association between a person's caries risk profile and the presence or absence of root-filled teeth, and (2) the caries risk in endodontically treated teeth.


METHODS
Two hundred Saudi adults were divided into an Endodontic Group (EG; n = 100), with a minimum of 2 root-filled teeth, and a Non-Endodontic Group (NEG; n = 100), without any root filling. Various caries risk factors were evaluated using a computer-based program (Cariogram). Clinical and radiographic examinations were also carried out.


RESULTS
Cariogram findings showed that "the chance of avoiding caries" was low in both groups (35% in EG and 37% in NEG), and there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. However, DMFS, recurrent caries, and mutans streptococcus count in saliva were significantly higher in the EG compared to the NEG (P < .05). When teeth in the EG were evaluated independently, the proportion of recurrent caries to the total fillings associated with endodontically treated teeth was 31.6% versus 19.2% in the non-endodontically treated teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
Data were not in favor of an association between caries risk profile and presence of root-filled teeth, but supported the notion that root-filling procedures might make the tooth more susceptible to caries.
Merdad
Khalid
K
Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Sonbul
Helal
H
Gholman
Moataz
M
Reit
Claes
C
Birkhed
Dowen
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult