[Tooth health and periodontal condition in adults with and without root caries]

In a population sample of 2261 men and women aged between 35 and 74 years the prevalence of root caries increased for both sexes consistently with age and ranged between 49 and 73%. In the mean 1.8 to 2.9 teeth were affected. Subjects with root caries had fewer teeth, more teeth with untreated coronal caries, and more teeth which needed conservative treatments. The number of extractions required was the same in subjects affected by root caries. In the age older than 65 years subjects affected by root caries had more teeth in the average of 2 teeth and significantly more fillings in their teeth. If a DMF/T-index of 15 to 19 was recorded nearly half of all subjects were affected by root caries. In individuals with root caries lesions aged between 35 and 54 years significant severe periodontal disease were seen.