Evaluation of the caries profile and caries risk in adults with endodontically treated teeth.

OBJECTIVES The present study was set up to explore (1) a potential association between a person's caries risk profile and the presence or absence of root-filled teeth, and (2) the caries risk in endodontically treated teeth. STUDY DESIGN Two hundred Saudi adults were divided into an Endodontic Group (EG; n = 100), with a minimum of 2 root-filled teeth, and a Non-Endodontic Group (NEG; n = 100), without any root filling. Various caries risk factors were evaluated using a computer-based program (Cariogram). Clinical and radiographic examinations were also carried out. RESULTS Cariogram findings showed that "the chance of avoiding caries" was low in both groups (35% in EG and 37% in NEG), and there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. However, DMFS, recurrent caries, and mutans streptococcus count in saliva were significantly higher in the EG compared to the NEG (P < .05). When teeth in the EG were evaluated independently, the proportion of recurrent caries to the total fillings associated with endodontically treated teeth was 31.6% versus 19.2% in the non-endodontically treated teeth. CONCLUSIONS Data were not in favor of an association between caries risk profile and presence of root-filled teeth, but supported the notion that root-filling procedures might make the tooth more susceptible to caries.