Prosthodontics & Occlusion · patient case question
Applying the ADA caries risk assessment to this patient — no cavitated lesions today, but heavy calculus, gingival inflammation, xerostomia, and years without care — he is classified as:
Patient case: Removable Partial Denture Design
demo: 64-year-old male
chief: “I want to replace my back teeth on both sides.”
history: Has not attended a dentist in several years. Reports dry mouth.
meds: Amitriptyline, hydrochlorothiazide
findings: Mandibular arch missing #17–19 and #30–32 bilaterally, with all anterior teeth present. Generalized marginal inflammation and heavy calculus. Xerostomia. No frank cavitated lesions found today.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. High caries risk
- A. Correct. Caries risk assessment is prospective. Xerostomia, heavy plaque and calculus, and irregular dental attendance are strong risk indicators that place him in the high-risk category regardless of today's cavity count.
- B. Moderate risk would apply with fewer or milder risk factors; xerostomia alone is a powerful driver toward high risk.
- C. Low risk requires good hygiene, adequate salivary flow, regular care, and no recent caries experience.
- D. Risk assessment is a clinical judgment made from history and examination; radiographs refine but do not gate it.
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