Root Caries – Perspectives And Advances In Treatment Protocols

Root caries is a socially significant disease whose prevalence is gradually increasing due to the aging population, acombined with the retention of more natural teeth into later stages of life. As carious lesions progress to sizes requiring operative treatment, dental professionals face different challenges compared to those encountered when treating crown lesions.

In recent years, various new materials with improved physico-mechanical properties and adhesion to hard dental tissues have been introduced into clinical practice. However, bonding to dentin remains problematic, as evidenced by the high incidence of secondary caries in root lesion treatments. A reassessment of criteria for selecting appropriate treatment methods and indications for using different groups of aesthetic materials in root caries treatment is necessary.

This lecture will analyse and present modern protocols for both operative and non-operative treatment of root caries.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mirela Marinova-Takorova

Graduated from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Sofia. Majoured in ‘Operative Dentistry and Endodontics’ and ‘General Dentistry’. Completed a Master’s degree in Health Management in 2011.

Research Experience: Lead researcher of a scientific project on ‘Microleakage in different groups of materials used for root caries treatment.” Conducted studies on: frequency and risk factors of root caries; saliva composition in caries-active and caries-resistant patients; early diagnosis of caries; retreatment of endodontically treated teeth filled with bioceramic sealers; frequency of endodontic errors and reasons for patient referrals to endodontic specialists; types of prosthetic constructions and ceramic materials used in dental practice.

Besides lecturing at FDM-Sofia, she has also presented lectures and lead hands on trainings on the use of dental operating microscopes in Serbia, Bosnia and North Macedonia, and Romania.

She is the author of two monographs: ‘Common causes of endodontic treatment failure – how to avoid mistakes.’ and ‘Root Caries.’ She is also a co-author in four educational manuals.