Bignozzi I, Crea A, Capri D, Littarru C, Lajolo C, Tatakis D N
EduPERIO Periodontal Education and Research International Organization, Rome, Italy.
J Periodontal Res. 2014 Apr;49(2):143-63. doi: 10.1111/jre.12094. Epub 2013 May 7.
A prevailing dental problem in the periodontal patient is root caries. Specifically, periodontal involvement often results in root surfaces becoming exposed and at risk for this condition. Periodontal therapy often leads to increased gingival recession as well, and the associated increased root caries risk may compromise the long-term success and survival of periodontally treated teeth.This narrative review will address the topic of root caries in the periodontal patient, focusing on unmet research needs.
The Medline database was searched to identify items dealing with root caries, in terms of clinical features, diagnosis, pathogenic mechanisms and histopathology, as well as epidemiology, focusing then on the relationship between root caries and periodontal disorders.
Although there is extensive literature on root caries, consensus is lacking regarding certain aspects, such as diagnostic criteria, prevalence within populations and indisputable risk factors. Advancing age could be an aggravating factor in susceptibility to root caries for the periodontal patient; however, definitive evidence in this regard is still missing. Similarly, full awareness of the increased risk of root caries in patients with periodontal disease or long-term periodontal treatment appears to be still lacking.
Research regarding root caries in age-specific (elderly) periodontal patients is needed. Improved oral hygiene practices, locally applied preventive measures, good dietary habits and regular dental check-ups are crucial approaches to prevent both periodontal disease progression and root caries. Periodontal patients with root exposure should follow a strict root caries prevention protocol, as an integral component of their periodontal maintenance therapy.
根龋是牙周病患者中普遍存在的牙齿问题。具体而言，牙周病变常导致牙根表面暴露，从而面临发生根龋的风险。牙周治疗也常常导致牙龈退缩增加，而随之增加的根龋风险可能会影响牙周治疗后牙齿的长期成功保留和存活。本叙述性综述将探讨牙周病患者根龋这一主题，重点关注尚未满足的研究需求。
检索Medline数据库，以确定有关根龋的文献，内容涉及临床特征、诊断、致病机制和组织病理学，以及流行病学，然后重点关注根龋与牙周疾病之间的关系。
尽管关于根龋的文献广泛，但在某些方面仍缺乏共识，如诊断标准、人群患病率和无可争议的危险因素。年龄增长可能是牙周病患者易患根龋的一个加重因素；然而，这方面的确切证据仍然缺失。同样，对于牙周病患者或长期接受牙周治疗的患者根龋风险增加似乎仍缺乏充分认识。
需要针对特定年龄段（老年）牙周病患者的根龋进行研究。改善口腔卫生习惯、局部应用预防措施、良好的饮食习惯和定期口腔检查是预防牙周病进展和根龋的关键方法。牙根暴露的牙周病患者应遵循严格的根龋预防方案，作为其牙周维护治疗的一个组成部分。
