title: Root caries and risk profiles using the Cariogram in different periodontal disease severity groups.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study root caries and risk profiles using the Cariogram in relation to periodontal disease severity and to analyse indicators associated with high caries risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional examination was carried out on 112 patients with periodontal disease from two government clinics in Saudi Arabia. The investigation comprised a questionnaire, bitewing radiographs, measurement of salivary secretion rate, buffering capacity and cariogenic microorganisms, and registration of periodontal status, plaque amount and coronal and root caries/fillings (DFT and RDFT). The data were then entered into the Cariogram pedagogic model to illustrate the caries risk profiles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were grouped according to periodontal disease severity into one of three groups: (1) gingivitis (n = 44); (2) mild-to-moderate periodontitis (n = 33); and (3) severe periodontitis (n = 35). The prevalence of RDFT in the total sample was 17%. There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in number of root lesions or mean 'Actual Chance to Avoid New Cavities' (Chance-AC) according to the Cariogram. Of the total sample, 22% displayed high caries risk (Chance-AC ≤ 40%). The most significant risk indicators in high caries risk patients were infrequent use of fluoride and unfavourable salivary and microbial parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Root surface lesions and high caries risk were present in about one-fifth of the patients referred for periodontal treatment. A combination of risk indicators rather than a single one contributed to the increased risk. Caries and risk profiles were not significantly correlated with periodontal disease severity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fadel
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al Hamdan
authors.forename: Yasser
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rhbeini
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heijl
authors.forename: Dowen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Birkhed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002021:Buffers; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000145:classification; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000145:classification*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000145:classification; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017213:Root Caries / Q000209:etiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D012984:Software; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides