Development of Caries Lesions in Dental Biofilm

Rampant caries is a term used to describe a rapid and widespread development of carious lesions affecting multiple tooth surfaces.

White spot lesions are the initial manifestation of enamel demineralization, appearing as opaque, whitish areas on tooth surfaces.

Hidden caries refers to carious lesions that are not visible on the outer surface of the tooth but are present beneath existing restorations or in areas not readily accessible to visual inspection.

The development of carious lesions is solely dependent on the presence of dental biofilm and is unaffected by factors such as diet, fluoride exposure, or saliva composition.

Primary caries refers to carious lesions that develop on previously unrestored, natural tooth surfaces.

Residual caries is a term used to describe carious lesions that have been completely removed during the preparation for a dental restoration.

The metabolic processes within the dental biofilm, including its composition, thickness, and the rate of salivary secretion, have no impact on the balance between mineral loss and gain in the tooth structure.

Secondary caries, also known as recurrent caries, refers to carious lesions that develop adjacent to existing dental restorations.

The classification of carious lesions based on their anatomical site is limited to pits and fissures and smooth surfaces.

The rate of mineral loss or gain in the tooth structure is solely determined by the fluoride ion concentration in oral fluids.