Models for coronal caries and root fragments in an elderly population.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Dental Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Dental diseases remain a significant concern for the elderly population.
• Understanding the prevalence and determinants of oral health issues in older adults is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of dental diseases in community-dwelling older adults.
• To investigate the key determinants of coronal caries and root fragments in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A random sample of 809 dentate individuals aged 65 and older participated.
• Logistic regression models were employed to analyze relationships between explanatory variables and dental outcomes.
• Variables included salivary flow, dental visit frequency, oral hygiene, and socioeconomic factors.

Main Results:

• Coronal caries determinants: decayed root surfaces, low salivary flow, infrequent dental care, and race/financial well-being interaction.
• Self-perception of mouth appearance became significant when decayed root surfaces were excluded.
• Root fragment determinants: episodic dental visits, root caries, missing teeth, high Streptococcus mutans, and tooth count.

Conclusions:

• Oral health in the elderly is multifactorial, influenced by clinical, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors.
• Regular dental care and adequate salivary function are critical for preventing coronal caries.
• Root fragment prevalence is linked to dental visit patterns, microbial load, and tooth loss.