Abstract
We performed a comprehensive microbiome analysis of root caries lesions using 22 teeth extracted from patients with severe periodontitis. The carious lesions were mechanically collected and cryo-pulverized following tooth extraction. Differences in the microbiome were compared between independent lesions at the supragingival site (SG) and lesions extending beyond the gingival margin (GCB). DNA was extracted and the microbiome was characterized on the basis of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene using paired-end sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq device. The microbiota in root caries lesions showed compositionally distinct microbiota depending on the location. The most abundant OTUs in the SG group were Streptococcus (26.0%), Actinomyces (10.6%), and Prevotella (7.6%). GCB presented Prevotella (11.1%) as the most abundant genus, followed by Fusobacterium (9.6%) and Actinomyces (8.7%). The SG group showed a lack of uniformity in microbiota compared with the GCB group. The bacterial profiles of GCB varied considerably among patients, including periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas, Selenomonas, Filifactor, Peptococcus, and Tannerella. Periodontal pathogens inhabit root caries lesions that extend beyond the gingival margin. This study provides a new perspective for elucidating the microbial etiology of root caries.
Highlights
Dental caries has been increasing in geriatric populations because of the higher retention rate of natural teeth
There was a significant difdissimilarity among samples, the results showed a clearly distinguished clustering of miference in the β-diversity between the groups, suggesting that the bacterial composition crobial communities according to the location (Figure 5A,B)
Within the limitations of this study, the microbiota in root caries lesions showed compositionally distinct microbiota depending on the location
Summary
Dental caries has been increasing in geriatric populations because of the higher retention rate of natural teeth. Root caries, defined as a progressive lesion found on the tooth root, has become a major concern [1]. The prevalence of root caries increases with age [2], and it occurs even among healthy older adults [3]. A recent systematic review showed that individuals who are older, have a lower socio-economic status or use tobacco, as well as those with more root caries experience, gingival recession, and poor oral hygiene, have a higher risk of developing new root caries [4]. Since gingival recession can occur as a result of periodontitis and periodontal therapy, systemic and local interventions are needed to prevent gingival recession and root caries in periodontal patients [5,6]. The progression of root caries is accompanied by acid decalcification of the inorganic component (hydroxyapatite) and protein decomposition of the organic component (collagen) of tooth structure [7]
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