RESEARCH ARTICLE
Predictor Model of Root Caries in Older Adults: Reporting of Evidence to the Translational Evidence Mechanism
Bauer JG1, *, Spackman S2, Dong J3, Garrett N4
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2010Volume: 4
First Page: 124
Last Page: 132
Publisher ID: TODENTJ-4-124
DOI: 10.2174/1874210601004010124
Article History:
Received Date: 9/9/2009Revision Received Date: 14/10/2009
Acceptance Date: 14/10/2009
Electronic publication date: 16/7/2010
Collection year: 2010
open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Compared to younger adults, older adults are at greater risk for root caries. A model of root caries may assist dentists in predicting disease outcomes. OBJECTIVES: Using the Iowa 65+ Oral Health Survey, analysis was done to model the patterns of the root caries development in older adults.
Results:
The model effectively predicts root caries using an 18-month predictive cycle and is validated up to 36 months (two cycles), with no significant differences (Chi-square test p-values >0.1) between predicted and observed distributions. However, we do not have observed data for validation beyond 36 months since the model was designed to perform only at single or multiple 18-month cycles. As expected, the predicted distribution at 54-month (3 cycles) and the observed distribution at 60-month differed significantly (p<0.0001).
Conclusions:
The model demonstrated a high probability that a sound surface will remain caries free. However, one and multiple-surface lesions aggressively infect adjoining surfaces. Maturing of the carious lesion occurs with the 4-surface lesion, decreasing the probability of tooth loss. Thus, maintaining a sound root surface and early treatment intervention reduces the risk of tooth dysfunction (morphological destruction) and loss.
DATABASE FILTERS:
P: Tooth/Subject characteristics-Older adults, 65 years of age or more, male and female participants, regional rural Iowa residents, race unspecified, functional status-non-institutionalized level unspecified, risk level unspecified
I: Root caries
P (C-not applicable): Probability/Statistical significance for decision data only/Clinical significance-dataset over 20 years old/Utility data not included/Cost data not included/Meaning in practice undetermined.
O: Each year through a three year cycle, caries progression from a sound root surface
A: Data attached:
■ Published manuscript
□ Unpublished manuscript
□ Raw data
R: Primary author contact information present
