Advancing Dental Risk Profiling: A Literature Review of the Cariogram Model

The Cariogram is a well-established tool for caries risk assessment, integrating clinical, behavioral, and microbiological factors into an accessible graphical display. This review critically evaluates its performance in preventive dentistry, focusing on reliability, accuracy, and clinical value. It examines the methodological design, explores studies validating its predictive power, and compares its strengths with standard caries risk assessment methods. Additionally, the analysis highlights the tool's adaptability across diverse populations and settings while acknowledging limitations such as reliance on subjective measures and the demanding nature of data collection. Furthermore, recent studies on integrating digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) with the Cariogram are discussed, emphasizing their potential to enhance personalized oral healthcare. Evidence suggests that the Cariogram not only aids clinicians in planning interventions but also educates patients about their caries risk, fostering better adherence to preventive practices. Emerging research on AI-supported applications confirms the Cariogram's promise in transforming caries risk assessment by making it more practical, scalable, and accessible. This review consolidates current evidence on its role in modern dentistry and explores future directions for optimizing caries risk assessment and prevention.