Caries-risk profiles in Italian adults using computer caries assessment system and ICDAS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the correlation among socio-behavioral factors, caries status and caries risk, calculated through Cariogram, in an adult population. Four hundred eighty subjects (mean age 40.73, SE ± 0.33) randomly selected from the municipal electoral registry consented to participate in the survey. Subjects were examined, and the International Caries Detection Assessment System (ICDAS) index was registered. A highly structured questionnaire was submitted to investigate (1) personal data (i.e., age, gender, educational level, job categorization), (2) life-style behavior (i.e., smoking and dietary habits), and (3) oral health behavior (i.e., tooth brushing, use of fluoride and dental check-up frequency). An evaluation of the mutans streptococci concentration in saliva was also performed. Information on caries-related factors was entered into the Cariogram in order to generate an individual caries risk profile for each subject. Multinomial logistic regression was performed using Cariogram levels as the dependent variable. The possible correlated variables were analyzed using the principal component analysis (PCA). Considering ICDAS scores, 5.62% of the sample had at least an initial decay (ICDAS = 1-2), whereas 40.83% of the sample presented at least one moderate decay (ICDAS = 3-4) and 17.08% a severe decay (ICDAS = 5-6). Decay at ICDAS levels 5-6 and more than 5 missing teeth were statistically associated with Cariogram scores (OR = 2.36, 95%CI = 1.83-3.03 and OR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.13-1.82, respectively). The results suggest that the Cariogram model was able to identify caries-related factors in an adult population. A direct association among the risk categories from Cariogram, the caries status and some socio-behavioral variables was verified.

Association of Enamel Caries Lesions with Oral Hygiene and DMFT among Adults

“…Oscarson et al [2017] reported that of Norwegian 35-to 49-year-old adults, 40% had dentin caries lesions and 70% had caries lesions of any stage. In a study on Italian adults, on average 60% had caries lesions, and initial lesions were less common than dentin lesions [Carta et al, 2015]. The prevalence of dentin caries lesions in this study population (40%) is in line with previous studies on Finnish adults and in Nordic countries [Oscarson et al, 2017].…”

Differential Impacts of Caries Classification in Children and Adults: A Comparison of ICDAS and DMF-T

“…Although fewer in number compared to the child population, some researchers have accessed caries using ICDAS in clinical and epidemiological studies involving adults (15,16). To our knowledge, no study has brought this aspect of comparison to epidemiological studies of the adult population, which should also have the diagnosis of caries and its treatment based on the philosophy of minimal intervention.…”

Caries reporting in studies that used the International Caries Detection and Assessment System: A scoping review

“…For example, nine different caries surfaces measures and seven caries teeth measures were identified in this review. Some studies grouped them to classify caries as dentin and enamel lesions while others classified them as initial/early, moderate/established and severe/extensive lesions . In addition, some studies combined all scores of caries into one group .…”