LONGITUDINAL CLINICAL STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF ROOT CARIES IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

Authors

  • Irina GRĂDINARU Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania
  • Cristina Gena DASCĂLU Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania
  • Magda Ecaterina ANTOHE Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania
  • Georgia Katerina CONDURACHE Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania
  • Ana-Maria FATU Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22551/MSJ.2026.02.22

Abstract

Dental caries remains one of the most common oral diseases, with a multifactorial etiology involving biological, behavioral, socio-economic, and age-related factors. In elderly patients, physiological changes, systemic diseases, polypharmacy, reduced salivary flow, and gingival recession increase susceptibility to root caries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of coronal and root caries across different age groups and to identify the etiological factors involved in root caries by comparing caries experience and individual cariogenic risk in adult and geriatric patients. Materials and methods: The study included 293 patients examined at the Clinical Teaching Base of the Faculty of Dental Medicine Iași between 2022 and 2026. Clinical assessment included the evaluation of coronal and root caries, gingival recession, and DMFT index. Results: Socio-economic factors, systemic diseases, and medication were recorded using a standardized questionnaire. Cariogenic risk was assessed by determining salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli, resting and stimulated salivary flow, salivary buffer capacity, and caries susceptibility using the modified Snyder test. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Coronal caries showed the highest prevalence in the 71-80-year age group, followed by the 51-60-years group. Root caries was also most frequent in the 71-80-years group, followed by patients over 80 years. DMFT values increased with age, mainly due to the “M” component, reflecting cumulative tooth loss. Systemic diseases, xerostomia-inducing medication, gingival recession, reduced salivary parameters, and increased microbial load were associated with higher cariogenic risk. Conclusions: Root caries in elderly patients has a multifactorial etiology, influenced by age-related oral changes, systemic conditions, medication, salivary dysfunction, gingival recession, and cariogenic microorganisms. These findings support the need for individualized preventive and therapeutic strategies in geriatric dental care.

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Additional Files

Published

2026-06-01

Issue

Vol. 130 No. 2 (2026): The Medical-Surgical Journal

Section

DENTAL MEDICINE

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