IADR Abstract Archives
Root Caries Risk Assessment: Measuring Salivary IgA Specific to PAc(361–386)
Objectives: In the superaging society of Japan, root caries is a problem among older adults. Root surface caries occurs even in those at low risk of enamel caries because the critical pH of root surface dentin is higher than that of enamel. Evaluating the risk of root caries and preventing it is essential because it tends to be difficult to treat. In this study, we determined the number of Streptococcus mutans, one of the main causative bacteria of dental caries, and the amount of salivary IgA antibody specific to its surface protein antigen PAc in older adults to assess the root caries risk factors.
Methods: Stimulated saliva samples were collected from 378 adults aged 76 years living in Niigata City. Salivary IgA antibody to amino acid residues 361–386 of S. mutans PAc (PAc(361–386)) was measured in these samples. Dental examinations were conducted at the baseline and 1 year later, and the total number of untreated and treated root caries was recorded as root DFT. To assess the risk of root caries development, logistic regression analysis was performed using salivary IgA antibody to PAc(361–386), levels of S. mutans (log CFU/swab), salivary flow rate (ml/min), number of root exposed teeth, and gender as explanatory variables.
Results: Among all participants, 307 individuals (144 females) with exposed root surfaces and without missing data were included in the analysis. The mean root DFT at baseline was 3.77 (SD: 3.66) and 36.5% of individuals exhibited increased root DFT after 1 year. Of the explanatory variables, only low levels of salivary IgA antibody to PAc(361-386) (<25th percentile value) were significantly associated with increased root DFT (odds ratio: 1.95; 95% confidence interval: 1.14–3.34).
Conclusions: Low levels of salivary IgA antibody to PAc(361–386) are a risk factor for increased root caries in older adults.
Methods: Stimulated saliva samples were collected from 378 adults aged 76 years living in Niigata City. Salivary IgA antibody to amino acid residues 361–386 of S. mutans PAc (PAc(361–386)) was measured in these samples. Dental examinations were conducted at the baseline and 1 year later, and the total number of untreated and treated root caries was recorded as root DFT. To assess the risk of root caries development, logistic regression analysis was performed using salivary IgA antibody to PAc(361–386), levels of S. mutans (log CFU/swab), salivary flow rate (ml/min), number of root exposed teeth, and gender as explanatory variables.
Results: Among all participants, 307 individuals (144 females) with exposed root surfaces and without missing data were included in the analysis. The mean root DFT at baseline was 3.77 (SD: 3.66) and 36.5% of individuals exhibited increased root DFT after 1 year. Of the explanatory variables, only low levels of salivary IgA antibody to PAc(361-386) (<25th percentile value) were significantly associated with increased root DFT (odds ratio: 1.95; 95% confidence interval: 1.14–3.34).
Conclusions: Low levels of salivary IgA antibody to PAc(361–386) are a risk factor for increased root caries in older adults.