title: Gingival recession and root caries in the ageing population: a critical evaluation of treatments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review evidence for the treatments of gingival recession and root caries in older populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic approach was adopted to identify reviews and articles to allow us to evaluate the treatments for gingival recession and root caries. Searches were performed in PubMed, Medline and Embase, the Cochrane trials register and bibliographies of European and World Workshops.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gingival recession: We identified no articles that focussed specifically on older populations. Conversely, no evidence suggested that Miller class I and II lesions should be managed differently in older patients when compared to younger cohorts. Six systematic reviews included older patients and suggested that connective tissue grafts are the treatment of choice, alone or in combination with enamel matrix derivative. Root caries can be controlled at the population level by daily brushing with fluoride-containing toothpastes, whilst active decay may be inactivated using professional application of fluoride varnishes/solutions or self-applied high-fluoride toothpaste. Active root caries lesions that cannot be cleaned properly by the patient may be restored by minimally invasive techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gingival recession and root caries will become more prevalent as patients retain their teeth for longer. Whilst surgical (gingival recession) and non-operative approaches (root caries) currently appear to be favoured, more evidence is needed to identify the most appropriate strategies for older people.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Heasman
authors.affiliation: Dental Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.affiliation: Dental Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Abisola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asuni
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gavillet
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Janne L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Simonsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nyvad
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017213:Root Caries / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: ageing population; atraumatic restorative treatment; gingival recession; operative treatment; periodontal surgery; prevention; root caries