ROLE OF SALIVA BUFFER CAPACITY FOR CARIES RISK ASSESSMENT IN ADULTS USING A REDUCED CARIOGRAM MODEL

• Ram babu Tanikonda,  
• Himasree Kasireddy,*  
• Sri Devi Mamidibathula,  
• rani sirisha Malkapuram

Abstract

Aims & Objective: To investigate the role of “salivary buffer capacity” for caries predictive ability of “reduced cariogram model” in adults. Introduction: A reduced cariogram model is a simplified version of the original cariogram which simplifies the analysis by focusing on fewer parameters, making it easy to use in clinical and research settings. One of the key components in “cariogram model” is the buffering capacity of saliva, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining oral pH balance. Materials and Methods: A sample of 90 patients included in this study. The cariogram variables were collected through a questionnaire, clinical and salivary examinations. The outcome measure was computed as a ‘‘chance to avoid caries in the near future,’’ which was expressed in percentage. The eight cariogram variables computed were caries experience, related diseases, diet frequency, plaque amount, fluoride program, saliva secretion, saliva buffer capacity, and clinical judgment. The data were calculated in two ways: “cariogram with eight variables” and “cariogram with seven variables”, excluding saliva buffer capacity.The patients were then allocated into three caries risk categories according to their chance of avoiding caries in the near future, as follows: 0–40% chance to avoid caries =high caries risk, 41–60% chance to avoid caries = medium caries risk, and 61–100% chance to avoid caries = low caries risk in both models i.e “cariogram with eight variables” and “cariogram with seven variables”. Comparison between the two was done. Results: When eight variables were considered the p value was 0.150 and when only seven variables were considered the p value was 0.001 which is statistically significant indicating the saliva buffer capacity has an influence in the caries risk assessment of an individual. Conclusion: Saliva buffer capacity had a significant role in altering the caries risk of an individual in a “reduced cariogram model”.

Keywords

reduced cariogram , dental caries, saliva buffer capacity, caries risk assessment