Dental Caries Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is dental caries?

A disease caused by the interaction of cariogenic oral flora with fermentable carbohydrate on the tooth over time (correct)

A condition caused by excessive consumption of sugary foods

A genetic disorder that affects tooth enamel

A bacterial infection caused by poor oral hygiene

What is dental plaque's role in dental caries?

It is a symptom of dental caries

It is an etiological factor in dental caries (correct)

It is the cause of dental caries

It is not related to dental caries

What is the pH threshold for caries to occur?

4.5

5.5 (correct)

6.0

5.0

What are the bacteria most associated with dental caries?

Actinomyces, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus Signup and view all the answers

What are the four zones of enamel after sound enamel?

Normal, lesion, translucent, and dark zone Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical application of the dark zone in enamel?

It can be used to detect caries through transillumination Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between infected and affected dentin?

Infected dentin is invaded by bacteria and has a denatured collagen network, while affected dentin is demineralized but not invaded by bacteria and can be preserved Signup and view all the answers

What is nurse bottle caries?

A type of dental caries that occurs in infants with prolonged exposure to fermentable carbohydrates Signup and view all the answers

What is dental caries?

A contagious disease caused by bacteria and carbohydrates on the tooth Signup and view all the answers

What is dental plaque?

A thin film of bacterial species, food remnants, and epithelial cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the pH threshold for caries to occur?

5.5 Signup and view all the answers

Which bacteria are most associated with dental caries?

Actinomyces, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus Signup and view all the answers

What is the pathogenesis of dental caries?

The adsorption of an organic film called 'acquired pellicle' to the tooth surface, followed by the invasion of specific highly adherent bacteria, which produce lactic acid and decrease the pH of the biofilm Signup and view all the answers

What are the four zones of dentin caries?

Normal, affected, infected, and decomposed zones Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical application of the dark zone in enamel caries?

It does not permit light, and transillumination can be used to detect caries Signup and view all the answers

What are early enamel lesions?

White spots that may appear darkened after remineralization Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Dental Caries: Causes, Pathogenesis, and Histological Effects

Dental caries is a multifactorial, transmissible, infectious oral disease caused by the interaction of cariogenic oral flora with fermentable carbohydrate on the tooth over time.
Dental plaque, a thin film of bacterial species, food remnants, and epithelial cells, is an etiological factor, not a cause of dental caries, and acts in the presence of pathologic bacteria.
Pathogenic bacteria are microorganisms that ferment carbohydrates and produce acids that demineralize tooth structure.
The pathogenesis of dental caries involves the adsorption of an organic film called "acquired pellicle" to the tooth surface, followed by the invasion of specific highly adherent bacteria, which produce lactic acid and decrease the pH of the biofilm.
When the pH drops below critical levels, the tooth demineralizes to buffer the acid by losing Ca++ and Ph+++ ions, leading to the destruction and dissolution of dental hard tissue.
Dental caries varies according to diet, hygiene, time of exposure, and affects signs and symptoms.
The pH threshold for caries to occur is 5.5, and the bacteria most associated with caries include Actinomyces, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus.
Histologically, dental caries affects both enamel and dentin, with enamel showing four main zones after sound enamel: normal, lesion, translucent, and dark zone.
The clinical application of the dark zone is important as it does not permit light, and transillumination can be used to detect caries.
Dentin caries has four zones: normal, sub-transparent, transparent, and turbid zones, with the superficial "infected" zone characterized by complete decomposition of the dentin and significant bacterial infiltration.
Infected dentin is invaded by bacteria and has a denatured collagen network, while affected dentin is demineralized but not invaded by bacteria and can be preserved.
Early enamel lesions appear as white spots and may appear darkened after remineralization, while nurse bottle caries can occur in infants with prolonged exposure to fermentable carbohydrates.

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Description

Test your knowledge on dental caries with this informative quiz! Discover the causes, pathogenesis, and histological effects of this common oral disease, as well as the bacteria associated with it. Learn about the different zones of enamel and dentin affected by caries and find out how to detect caries through transillumination. Test your understanding of this multifactorial disease and gain valuable insights into its prevention and treatment.