Root caries: Update on a pathology of growing interest

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.38.1.617.6

Keywords:

root caries, elderly, dental care for aged, biofilm, diagnosis, conservative treatment

Abstract

Root caries is a dynamic process of localized destruction of the root surfaces, dependent on the biofilm. Its pathology mainly affects the elderly toothed population with exposed root surfaces and disrupts their quality of life. Vulnerabilities and multimorbidities, frequent in this age group, limit oral self-care and are criteria to be considered in understanding and managing the disease.

The root caries lesions diagnosis implies knowledge about the healthy root structure, indicators or risk factors, caries lesions development mechanism, and the detection and assessment criteria. The correct selection of caries risk and management options preserving tooth structure shows the understanding of root caries.

 The root caries represents a challenge for academia, health systems, dental practice, and the population because its indicators are increasing related to aging population and greater conservation of natural teeth.

This review aimed to present the state of the current understanding of root caries. Eighty-one papers published between 1971 and 2021 were included. These considered root embryogenesis; the current understanding of root caries, its prevalence and etiopathogenesis; characteristics of the lesions; diagnosis, and care proposals both at the individual risk level, and at the lesions level. This update is relevant due to the risk that the increasing presence of this pathology carries, together with its consequences. The statement of its state of the art suggests areas of research.

Author Biographies

Margarita Usuga Vacca, Universidad El Bosque, Colombia

Odontóloga, Universidad de Antioquia

Odontopediatra, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

Magíster en Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Candidata a Doctor en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad El Bosque

Docente investigador, Universidad El Bosque

Área de experticia: caries dental y otras alteraciones de los tejidos dentales

Angela V Fonseca-Benítez, Universidad El Bosque, Colombia

Magíster en Ciencias Básicas Biomédicas, Universidad El Bosque; Odontóloga, Universidad El Bosque. Joven investigador-Colciencias, UNICA - Unidad de Investigación en Caries, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.

Jaime Eduardo Castellanos, Universidad El Bosque, Colombia

PhD en Ciencias - Química, Universidad nacional de Colombia;  Maestría en Ciencias - Farmacología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Odontólogo, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. 

Filiación: Profesor titular, Director del Grupo de Virología, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia. castellanosjaime@unbosque.edu.co

ORCID: .

Stefania Martignon, Universidad El Bosque, Colombia

PhD en Ciencias de la Salud, University of Copenhagen; Especialista en Docencia Universitaria, Universidad El Bosque; Odontóloga Pediatra, Universidad El Bosque; Odontóloga, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; 

Filiación: Profesor titular, Directora el grupo UNICA - Unidad de Investigación en Caries, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.

Published

2022-05-03

How to Cite

Vacca, M. U., Fonseca-Benítez, A. V. ., Castellanos, J. E. ., & Martignon, S. . (2022). Root caries: Update on a pathology of growing interest. Salud Uninorte, 38(1), 227–351. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.38.1.617.6

Issue

Section

Review Article