Root surface caries of denture wearers in middle-aged and elderly people.

With an increasing number of elderly people retaining natural dentition, the number of exposed root surfaces and root surface caries is increasing. A total of 100 people, aged from 38 to 86, were examined for exposed root surfaces and root surface caries. Denture wearers and non-denture wearers were examined. The following results were obtained; 1. The percentages of exposed root surfaces were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the 60's and 70's age groups. Root surface caries showed a tendency to increase until people were in their 60's. 2. Denture wearers had more exposed root surfaces (P < 0.05) and were more likely to have root surface caries than non-denture wearers. Denture wearers showed a tendency to have more severe grades of root surface caries than non-denture wearers. 3. Concerning denture wearers, there were not significant differences in the percentages of exposed root surfaces of buccal and proximal surfaces facing edentulous space. However, proximal surfaces facing edentulous space were more prone to root surface caries than buccal surfaces (P < 0.05).