Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Of Root Caries: A Case Report

Root caries can be treated and managed through comprehensive examination and phased treatment planning based on general dentistry. A 67-year-old female reported a history of swelling on the buccal gingiva of the affected tooth, and occasional gingiva bleeding when brushing. Her oral hygiene habits were poor, had 6-8 meals/day with semi-liquid food after gastric cancer surgery and chemotherapy. After comprehensive dental evaluation, she was diagnosed with multiple active root caries, pulpitis and apical periodontitis secondary to root caries, periodontitis, dentition defect, and malocclusion. A treatment plan was implemented based on general dentistry principles, structured into 5 phases: Systemic phase, Emergency phase, Disease control phase, Functional-aesthetic rehabilitation phase and Maintenance phase. Therapeutic interventions included extraction of hopeless teeth, endodontic and restorative treatment for salvageable teeth, non-surgical periodontal therapy and combined fixed-removable prosthodontic rehabilitation, achieving functional recovery and improving quality of life. After 1-year follow-up, the dental condition remained stable and successful. In accordance with the joint consensus guidelines established by the EOCR and the EFCD (2020, 2024), this case was managed using an activity-based root caries management framework, integrated with general dentistry principles, and completed with phase-treatment-plan and long-term follow-up monitoring, which realized the integrated management strategy of "prevention - control - restoration" for root caries. The current outcome highlights the significance for standardized activity assessment protocols combined with general dentistry principles in root caries management of the elder.