Factors associated with active and inactive root caries in patients with periodontal disease

The aim of this study was to analyze a number of microbial, salivary, and dietary factors in patients with clinically active and inactive root caries. 147 patients, aged 30-78 years, referred for specialist treatment of periodontal disease, were randomly selected. 645 decayed and 539 filled root surfaces were found. Out of the carious lesions, 372 (58%) were recorded as clinically active and 273 (42%) as inactive. 30 patients showed no lesions (group 1), 46 had only fillings or inactive lesions (group 2), and 35 showed 1-2 (group 3) and 36 greater than or equal to 3 active lesions (group 4). The lactobacillus count differed significantly between all groups, except group 1 vs. 2, and the mutans streptococcus count between groups 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 and 4. Group 4 differed in plaque score from the other groups, and the salivary buffer effect differed between the inactive groups 1 and 2 and the active group 4. By stepwise multiple regression analysis, it was shown that lactobacillus count, plaque index, salivary buffer effect, dietary habit index, and number of exposed root surfaces contributed significantly to the coefficient of determination.