Root caries can occur in areas of abrasion, erosion, and abfraction, or the primary root caries and recurrent decay. The occurrence of root caries is the apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Important to understand the nature and differences in root surface lesions that can occur, so the definition of root caries lesions is varied is summarized as follows.
Lesion root surface abrasion is a hard, smooth, and shiny sharp boundary, which consists of streaks and free of plaque. This is caused by mechanical abrasion, such as brushing teeth, while the root surface erosion is a lesion that is hard and relatively smooth which occurred in an area free of plaque. This lesion has no boundaries and is formed when acid etching of the mineralized tissue, such as occur from excessive consumption of fruit or juice containing phosphorus acid or citric acid.
Abfraction is a mechanical process involving a change in tooth shape and flexibility of the eccentric pressure, resulting in loss of tooth structure in the cervical area and the development of V-shaped notch that causes tooth structure becomes weaker.
Root surface caries lesions that are soft, irregular, and progressive that occurs in the apical to the CEJ. Is caused by plaque bacteria and sugar consumption are repeated, resulting in dissolution of minerals from the calcified tissue. Root surface caries began to occur when the loss of periodontal attachment and root surface becomes exposed to the oral environment.
Regions where root caries may start to happen, round or oval, and can begin in one or more parts of the teeth. From one region can then be spread around him and joined with other regions of root caries. This region may appear as a white outline areas or discoloration (brown or black), with or without a cavity on the exposed root surface or in the margins of existing restorations.
Root caries is more common in men than women. Mandibular molar teeth are most susceptible to root caries, followed by premolars, canines and incisors, which are rarely involved, the order is contrary to the maxilla. Facial surface of teeth are most susceptible to this lesion.
