On Caries Risk Profile and Prevention in an Adult Saudi Population

Objectives. The aims of this thesis were to evaluate: 1) the caries profile in an adult Saudi population with several dental restorations using a computer-based program (Cariogram), 2) the prevalence of primary and recurrent caries and of filled tooth surfaces in relation to the Cariogram outcome, expressed as “the chance of avoiding caries”, 3) the quality of dental restorations and the additional value of using bitewing radiographs, 4) the effect of a “modified fluoride toothpaste technique” on the incidence and progression of approximal caries diagnosed on bitewings and 5) the preventive effect of this toothpaste technique on buccal and lingual enamel caries and to determine the role of patient compliance. Material and Methods. A total of 175 adults, mean age 30 years, were included. All the individuals were interviewed about their oral health, dietary habits and use of fluoride. Caries was registered both clinically and radiographically. Salivary and microbiological data were obtained using chair-side tests. A risk profile was created using the Cariogram model and the entire population was categorised into various risk groups, based on the Cariogram profile. In 100 adults (as a subgroup from the 175 patients), a total of 803 dental restorations were evaluated, based on the United States Public Health Service (USPHS/Ryge) criteria. Bitewings of Class II restorations were taken to examine the marginal integrity and the anatomic form proximally. Finally, the 175 participants were randomly assigned to either a test (n=88) or a control group (n=87). The test group patients were instructed to use the “modified fluoride toothpaste technique”, in which various behavioural factors were standardised in order to improve the caries preventive effect of fluoride toothpaste. The patients in the control group were asked to continue using their regular fluoride toothpaste twice a day without any further instructions. Approximal caries was scored radiographically and enamel buccal/lingual caries clinically at baseline and after 2 years. Results. The prevalence of initial, total decayed and recurrent caries was high. Significant differences were found between the Cariogram risk groups with respect to these caries indices; the lower the “chance of avoiding caries”, the higher the values of the caries indices. The mean “chance of avoiding caries” according to the Cariogram was 31% for the whole population (n=175). Overall, the anatomic form and surface texture obtained unacceptable scores in the majority of the restorations. After adding the radiographic evaluation, the percentage of unacceptable restorations increased by 28% and 17% with regard to marginal integrity and anatomic form respectively. After 2 years, a significant difference was found in the number of new approximal enamel caries between the test group 0.72 (n=54) and the control group 2.27 (n=52) (p<0.001). When all the data were pooled, the test group had a lower incidence of total approximal caries than the control group (p<0.001). The test group also had a lower progression rate of approximal caries (p<0.01). The test group (n=56) had a lower buccal/lingual caries incidence than the control group (n=57) (p