ABSTRACT
Objective To study the microbiology of root surface caries in elderly patients. Methods Seventy-five elderly people (aged 60～77 years) were divided into 2 groups:Control group of patients without root caries (n=30) and root caries group of patients with root caries without apicitis and pulpitis (n=45).Plaque samples were collected,cultured in selective and non-selective media.After the bacteria were isolated,the total count and the detection rates and bacterium numbers of porphyromonas,pervotella,streptococcus mutants group,actiomyces and lactobacillus were compared between the groups of control and root caries.Results The count of total bacteria, streptococcus mutants group,actinomyces,lactobacillus and of root caries group were significantly higher that those of the control group(4.73?0.75)lg(CFU/ml+1)vs(4.17?0.47)lg(CFU/ml+1), (3.89?0.89)lg(CFU/ml+1) vs (2.84?1.14) lg (CFU/ml+1),(3.24?1.89) lg (CFU/ml+1) vs (2.19?0.11)lg(CFU/ml+1),(3.24?1.11)lg(CFU/ml+1)vs(2.43?0.95)lg(CFU/ml+1), (2.67?0.70)lg(CFU/ml+1)vs (3.24?0.21)lg(CFU/ml+1),(P