Fee P A, Cassie H, Clarkson J E et al. Development of a root caries prediction model in a population of dental attenders. Caries Res 2022; DOI: 10.1159/000526797.

Predictable, so it should be preventable.

As people live for longer, with their natural teeth, root caries prevalence is increasing. Root caries lesions are difficult to restore and even when they are, restorations have a high failure rate. If those at risk of root caries can be identified, then preventive measures can be targeted at those most at risk.

Prediction models were developed from data from the INTERVAL trial (which compared the effects of different recall intervals on oral health). Presence or absence of root caries was recorded for 1,430 participants. Of these, 324 (22.6%) had more than one root caries lesion and 97 (6.8%) had more than three lesions.

For both groups, predictors were increasing age, number of filled teeth (<9), smoking and a lack of knowledge of the 'spit, don't rinse' oral hygiene regime. The sensitivity and specificity for both groups ranged from 70% to 75%. The authors conclude that those at risk of root caries can be identified by examination and patient self-report and that 'it is unlikely that a more predictable or generalisable model will be developed in the future.'