Root Surface Caries - Rationale Behind Good Diagnostic Practice

Root surfaces, which with increasing age become exposed to dental biofilms, will react to the intermittent pH fluctuations at the interface between the biofilm and the cementum/dentin surface. If dental biofilm is left undisturbed in stagnation sites in the dentition, the underlying mineral surfaces may gradually develop dental caries characterized by a subsurface loss of mineral. In root surfaces, the demineralization is accompanied by microbial invasion of the cementum and dentin resulting in a pulpo-dentinal defense reaction. Most lesions progress slowly and experimental in situ studies as well as clinical studies document that the daily removal of the biofilm using fluoride toothpaste can arrest lesion progression. By applying this caries control measure, caries lesions can thus be transformed from active lesions to inactive lesions. The diagnostic characteristics of these types of lesions are mandatory to apply in daily clinical practice to avoid unnecessary restorative and antimicrobial treatments.