Rampant caries in adult patients is not uncommon in dental clinics in Saudi Arabia. To gain the patients' confidence and cooperation, early stages of management should include improvement of the appearance of carious anterior teeth by placing aesthetic provisional restorations using, for example, glass ionomer cements. After emergency treatment, definitive restorative management should commence only when the patients have demonstrated compliance with oral health education, including caries preventive measures. Analysis of dietary habits and assessment of salivary function are important in diagnosing factors that predispose the disease. Two cases of rampant caries in adult Saudi patients are presented to highlight these features in managing the condition.

Saudi Dental Journal 1996;8(3):145-149.