Prevalence and Distribution of Root Caries in Chronic Liver Diseased Saudi Patients

Abstract

Abstract. Although root caries is found among patients of all ages, it demonstrates an increase in incidence with advancing age. Patients with liver diseases suffer from altered immunity and several disorders that may result in hyposalivation leading to dental caries. Patients with diagnosed viral and non-viral hepatitis were clinically examined for presence of root caries or filled root lesions and Root Caries Index was calculated for each patient. Demographic data and whole unstimulated saliva collected over a recorded time at mid-morning were obtained and salivary flow rate for each patient was calculated. For 114 chronic liver diseased patients and 50 controls, the mean values of Root Caries Index were 2.50 and 0.34; whereas, the saliva flow rate values were 0.34 and 0.48, respectively. Root Caries Index increased with age, being higher among males than females 2.9, 2.3, respectively. The percentage of missing teeth was 45% and decayed teeth were 43%. In conclusion, root caries index was significantly correlated to age and gender with higher incidence among male patients, and in the buccal surface of posterior teeth.