Caries Risk Assessment in Adults Using the Cariogram

This study identifies the caries risk in adult patients using the Swedish software product Cariogram. Early detection and timely management of risk factors for caries development are crucial for its prevention and non-operative preventative treatment.

To identify patients at high risk for caries and implement a prophylactic program aimed at the individual patient based on the assessment of the individual risk factors.

The study included 59 women and 41 men aged 19-65 years. A detailed medical history was obtained from all patients who underwent thorough clinical examination, evaluation of saliva with Saliva-Check Buffer (GC) test and of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus levels using the CRT Bacteria kit (Ivoclar Vivadent AG products), and assessment of the caries risk using the Cariogram software.

The results showed that the most important risk factors were as follows: DMFT, (rs [100] = 0.358, p<0.001), levels of Lacto-bacilli (rs [100] = 0.321, p<0.001), levels of Streptococcus mutans (rs [100] = 0.302, p<0.05), plaque amount (rs [100] = 0.291, p<0.05), food intake frequency (rs [100] = 0.252, p<0.05), and diet content (rs [100] = 0.220, p<0.05). Insignificant correlation coefficients in risk assessment were shown by the application of fluorides (rs [100] = 0.114, p>0.05), saliva rate (rs [100] = 0.018, p>0.05), and saliva buffer capacity (rs [100] = 0.144, p>0.05).

Cariogram is a very useful method in clinical practice for evaluation of the caries risk and its preventive, non-operative management.