26 Questions
What is the definition of calculus in dentistry?
The mineralization of dental plaque
What is the effect of calculus on gingival tissues?
It has no effect on gingival tissues
What is the role of calculus in caries formation?
It prevents caries formation
What is the difference between supragingival and subgingival calculus?
Supragingival calculus is whiter in color
Where is supragingival calculus often found?
On the lingual surfaces of the mandibular anterior teeth
What is the source of mineralization for subgingival calculus?
Gingival crevicular fluid
What is the similarity between the formation of plaque and calculus?
Both have supragingival and subgingival forms
What can the outer surface of calculus lead to?
Periodontal disease
What can be used to detect nuanced accumulation of calculus?
Air spray or tactile sensation with an explorer
What is Materia Alba composed of?
Bacteria, proteins, shed epithelial cells, and food debris
What is the primary concern of extrinsic stains?
Aesthetic concerns
What can cause an orange stain on anterior teeth?
Poor oral hygiene
What can cause a yellow-brown stain on teeth?
Using core hexadecane and stannous fluoride
What can cause a green-yellow stain on anterior teeth?
Chromogenic bacteria
How can crowding contribute to periodontal disease?
By creating plaque retentive areas
What can contribute to food impaction and plaque retention?
Muscular draft or extrusion associated with missing teeth
What can contribute to periodontal disease indirectly?
Restorations
What is the name of the bacteria that can cause green-yellow stains?
Chromogenic bacteria
What type of restoration is worse for gingival health?
Over contoured restoration
What can cause plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation even when they're not faulty?
Sub gingival margins
What can increase mobility of the abutment teeth and increase plaque accumulation?
Removable partial dentures
What must be established before initiating any sort of orthodontic therapy?
Periodontal health
What can cause tooth abrasion and gingival recession?
All of the above
What is a necessary factor for periodontal disease?
Plaque bacteria
Why are removable partial dentures a local factor for periodontal disease?
All of the above
What can make a patient high-risk for periodontal disease?
Combination of local factors and poor oral hygiene
Study Notes
Calculus
- Calculus is the mineralization of dental plaque, occurring within 1-14 days.
- It is not a mechanical irritant to gingival tissues by itself, but its outer surface is covered with a layer of plaque bacteria, which can contribute to periodontal disease.
- Calculus is essentially a natural sealant and does not contribute to caries.
- There are two forms of calculus: supragingival (whitish-yellowish, mineralized by saliva, often found on lingual surfaces of mandibular anterior teeth) and subgingival (dark, mineralized by gingival crevicular fluid).
Detection of Calculus
- Calculus can be detected visually, especially if it's heavily accumulated.
- An air spray or tactile sensation with an explorer can help detect smaller accumulations.
- Proximal calculus can be detected radiographically, appearing as ledges on the mesial and distal surfaces of teeth.
Materia Alba
- Materia Alba is a soft, white, cheese-like accumulation of bacteria, proteins, shed epithelial cells, and food debris.
- It is easily displaced with water spray and is a precursor to plaque.
Extrinsic Stains
- Extrinsic stains do not contribute to gingival inflammation and are primarily an aesthetic concern.
- However, they can point to underlying factors, such as:
- Orange stains: poor oral hygiene, often found on anterior teeth.
- Brown stains: dark-colored beverages, poor oral hygiene.
- Dark brown or blackish stains: tobacco use.
- Yellow-brown stains: use of core hexadecane and stannous fluoride.
- Black stains: thin lines on the cervical third of teeth, due to iron consumption.
- Green and yellow stains: poor oral hygiene, Chromogenic bacteria.
- Bluish-green stains: occupational exposure to metallic dust.
Malocclusion
- Malocclusion can contribute to plaque accumulation and indirectly to periodontal disease.
- Crowding can lead to plaque retentive areas, making it difficult to clean teeth.
- Prominent roots and teeth associated with high frena can experience gingival recession.
- A missing tooth can lead to food impaction and plaque retention, as neighboring teeth tip in and opposing teeth hyper erupt.
Restorations
- Restorations can contribute to periodontal disease due to:
- Overhanging margins, open margins, rough surfaces, and open contacts, which create plaque retentive areas.
- Over-contoured restorations, which are worse for gingival health than under-contoured restorations.
- Subgingival margins, which can cause plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation, even if they are not faulty.
Appliances and Self-Inflicted Injury
- Appliances can contribute to periodontal disease, such as:
- Removable partial dentures, which can increase mobility of abutment teeth and plaque accumulation.
- Braces, which can increase plaque retention and create excessive forces on the periodontium.
- Oral jewelry, which can result in recession, pocket formation, and bone loss.
- Self-inflicted injuries, such as aggressive horizontal brushing, can cause tooth abrasion and gingival recession.
- Improper use of toothpicks, fingernail biting, and other habits can damage gingival tissues.
This quiz covers the topic of calculus in dentistry, specifically its definition, formation, and effects on gingival tissue
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