Caries Risk Assessment and Control

Abstract

ABSTRACT Dental caries has a multifactorial etiology in which there is interplay of three principal factors. The host (saliva and teeth), the micro flora (plaque), and the substrate (diet), and a fourth factor time. Many times the initiation, development and progression of dental caries are often influenced by the oral health status, aetiology, modifying factors, preventive factors and other risk factors. There is no single test that takes into consideration all these factors and can accurately predict an individual's susceptibility to caries. The risk of dental caries can be evaluated by analyzing and integrating several causative factors. Caries risk assessments during treatment can serve as monitoring aid for the success of the treatment. The aim of this review is to assess the risk factors associated with dental caries so that the treatment can be planned accordingly.