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Essay about Root Surface Caries

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Root Surface Caries
Caries can affect any surface of the teeth. The most commonly seen caries are found on the crown of a tooth, above the cemento-enamel junction, it is also possible for caries to form on the root surface, below the cemento-enamel junction. Dental root caries has received a great deal of attention in the past few decades. A variety of different patients are at risk for root surface caries. Dentists use several methods of treatment.
Root surface caries are also called cemental caries, cervical caries, or radicular caries. (Wilkins) Root surface caries only involves the roots of teeth. The cementum and dentin located just below the crown of the tooth is involved. No involvement of enamel is seen with root surface caries. …show more content…

This process is enhanced with the presence of gingival recession.(Hammel)
Clinically, root caries appears as a soft, irregularly shaped lesion, either totally confined to the root surface or also involving the enamel at the cemento-enamel junction. (Flaitz) It is more easily detected on exposed root surfaces. It has been found that 10% to 20% of root caries lesions are found subgingivally, especially at the interproximal region. The most common locations also include exposed roots of the mandibular premolar and molar areas. On a dental radiograph, root surface caries appears as a cupped-out or crater-shaped radiolucency just below the cemento-enamel junction. Early lesions may be difficult to detect on a dental radiograph.(Hassan)
Clinical description is very subjective and is based on color, texture, surface smoothness, depth of the lesion, and distinctiveness of its border. Root caries can be classified as active or inactive. Active lesions are leathery or soft, and inactive or arrested lesions are hard upon touch with an explorer. Root caries can vary in color from black or dark brown to yellowish or light brown.(Wilkins)
Measures that can be taken to prevent root surface caries are just as one would perform to prevent coronal caries. Oral hygiene is most important. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after each meal. Floss your teeth regularly to remove food particles between your teeth that cannot be removed by ordinary brushing. Because you

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