Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a characteristic of active caries compared to inactive caries?
What is a characteristic of active caries compared to inactive caries?
What treatment is indicated for arrested caries that are not progressing?
What treatment is indicated for arrested caries that are not progressing?
What features distinguish inactive caries from active caries?
What features distinguish inactive caries from active caries?
What does the presence of arrested caries indicate regarding future dental health?
What does the presence of arrested caries indicate regarding future dental health?
Signup and view all the answers
How does dentine of active caries feel compared to that of inactive caries when probed?
How does dentine of active caries feel compared to that of inactive caries when probed?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant contributor to hospitalization among children in the UK?
What is a significant contributor to hospitalization among children in the UK?
Signup and view all the answers
Which age group is specifically mentioned regarding dental caries prevalence in the UK?
Which age group is specifically mentioned regarding dental caries prevalence in the UK?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following describes a carious lesion that has healed due to favorable remineralization?
Which of the following describes a carious lesion that has healed due to favorable remineralization?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one reason that can lead to a change in the balance favoring remineralization?
What is one reason that can lead to a change in the balance favoring remineralization?
Signup and view all the answers
What term is used to describe carious lesions that leave a visible mark on the tooth surface following healing?
What term is used to describe carious lesions that leave a visible mark on the tooth surface following healing?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of caries is characterized by damage to smooth surfaces of the teeth?
Which type of caries is characterized by damage to smooth surfaces of the teeth?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a major factor that contributes to the process of demineralization?
What is a major factor that contributes to the process of demineralization?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following types of caries refers to decay that may develop around restorations?
Which of the following types of caries refers to decay that may develop around restorations?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary tissue affected in root caries?
What is the primary tissue affected in root caries?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor contributes to the development of root caries?
Which factor contributes to the development of root caries?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key preventive measure for root caries?
What is a key preventive measure for root caries?
Signup and view all the answers
When should a lesion be restored in the context of root caries?
When should a lesion be restored in the context of root caries?
Signup and view all the answers
Which age range is defined by the American Dental Association for early childhood caries?
Which age range is defined by the American Dental Association for early childhood caries?
Signup and view all the answers
What term was previously used for early childhood caries?
What term was previously used for early childhood caries?
Signup and view all the answers
What characteristic defines rampant caries?
What characteristic defines rampant caries?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is true about mandibular incisors in relation to rampant caries?
Which of the following is true about mandibular incisors in relation to rampant caries?
Signup and view all the answers
What initiates the process of dental caries?
What initiates the process of dental caries?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about dental caries is true?
Which of the following statements about dental caries is true?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the World Health Organization's findings, which statement is accurate about dental caries prevalence?
According to the World Health Organization's findings, which statement is accurate about dental caries prevalence?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following factors plays a critical role in the development of dental caries?
Which of the following factors plays a critical role in the development of dental caries?
Signup and view all the answers
Dental caries can be described based on which of the following aspects?
Dental caries can be described based on which of the following aspects?
Signup and view all the answers
In terms of dental caries management, what is the primary goal for dental professionals?
In terms of dental caries management, what is the primary goal for dental professionals?
Signup and view all the answers
What is considered the most common source of the acids responsible for tooth demineralisation in dental caries?
What is considered the most common source of the acids responsible for tooth demineralisation in dental caries?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes dental caries?
Which of the following best describes dental caries?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes Class V caries?
What characterizes Class V caries?
Signup and view all the answers
How is secondary caries defined?
How is secondary caries defined?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of caries remains after restoration, intentionally or unintentionally?
Which type of caries remains after restoration, intentionally or unintentionally?
Signup and view all the answers
What does incipient caries indicate?
What does incipient caries indicate?
Signup and view all the answers
Which condition is associated with the presence of white spot lesions?
Which condition is associated with the presence of white spot lesions?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key protective function of saliva?
What is a key protective function of saliva?
Signup and view all the answers
Which category of rampant caries is not associated with dry mouth conditions?
Which category of rampant caries is not associated with dry mouth conditions?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the stabilization treatment involve for patients with rampant caries?
What does the stabilization treatment involve for patients with rampant caries?
Signup and view all the answers
Which class of caries refers to caries on the proximal surfaces of both premolars and molars?
Which class of caries refers to caries on the proximal surfaces of both premolars and molars?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of caries occurs on the occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars?
What type of caries occurs on the occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is interproximal caries most likely to develop?
Where is interproximal caries most likely to develop?
Signup and view all the answers
Which class represents caries affecting the incisal edge of anterior teeth?
Which class represents caries affecting the incisal edge of anterior teeth?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of caries is most associated with saliva’s clearing function?
Which type of caries is most associated with saliva’s clearing function?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Describing Dental Caries
- Dental caries is a dynamic process of demineralization and remineralization
- It begins with acids produced by bacteria digesting fermentable carbohydrates on the tooth surface.
- These acids demineralize the tooth surface, leading to the destruction of dental tissues.
- Initially, this process is reversible, but it subsequently becomes irreversible.
GDC Learning Outcomes
- Describe oral diseases and their relevance to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
- Explain the aetiology and pathogenesis of oral disease
- Assess and manage caries, occlusion, and tooth wear, and, where appropriate, restore the dentition using minimal intervention while maintaining function and aesthetics
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Explain worldwide healthcare issues associated with dental caries
- Describe dental caries based on its causative factors
- Describe dental caries based on its anatomical location
- Describe dental caries based on its stage of progression
- Explain how basic management principles may vary for different clinical presentations of dental caries
Aetiology of Dental Caries
- Caries involves the intersection of susceptible tooth surfaces, plaque bacteria, and fermentable carbohydrates over time.
Histopathology of Enamel and Dentine Caries
- This is a pre-reading topic.
What is Dental Caries?
- Dental caries (decay, rotten teeth), are dynamic processes of demineralization and remineralization.
- It is initiated by acids produced by oral bacteria that break down fermentable carbohydrates on the tooth surface.
- The acids demineralize the tooth's surface leading to tissue destruction.
- The process is initially reversible, but irreversibly progresses after a critical point.
Why Care About Dental Caries?
- WHO identifies it as the most widespread non-communicable disease
- Decay in permanent teeth is the most prevalent disease
- Decay in deciduous teeth is the 12th most prevalent disease
- 2.3 billion people have permanent decay
- 560 million children have deciduous decay
- 5-10% of healthcare budgets in developed countries are spent on treating dental caries
- A significant cause of hospitalizations and absences from work/school
- Linked to undernutrition
Descriptions of Dental Caries
- Various terms describe dental caries based on location or etiology, such as arrested, root, early childhood, rampant, pit/fissure, secondary, smooth surface, residual, and white spot lesions.
Arrested/Inactive Caries
- When the balance between demineralization and remineralization favors remineralization, caries lesions may heal. This may leave a 'scar' if the caries progressed before the healing.
- Reasons for the balance shift may include improved oral hygiene or removal of plaque retention triggers.
- There are similarities and differences in active and inactive caries in terms of enamel and dentine appearance and feel.
Arrested/Inactive Caries - Treatment
- Often do not require active treatment.
- Fluoride applications, and composite or glass ionomer restorations may be used to address discoloration
- Continued prevention is key due to the increased risk of recurrence.
Root Caries
- Primary tissue affected is cementum, followed by dentine
- Exposed root surfaces, recession, and bacteria colonization initiate root caries.
- Cementum is softer than enamel, facilitating faster progression.
Root Caries - Aetiology
- Decreased salivary flow (xerostomia) hinders clearing sugars and mineral reservoirs.
- Saliva flow reduction may also be related to sweets consumption.
- Radiotherapy can damage salivary glands, causing xerostomia, and trismus, which impacts oral hygiene practices.
Root Caries - Treatment
- Preventive measures include improved oral hygiene, dietary advice, and fluoride use
- . Oral hygiene might be challenging in elderly patients, so supportive measures are required.
- Restoration with glass ionomer cement (fluoride releasing) or composite resin is an option for treatment.
- Saliva substitutes, and medication (e.g. pilocarpine) may aid care.
- Definitive restoration plans may be developed after an assessment.
Early Childhood Caries
- Defined by the presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces in a preschool-aged child
- Previously referred to as 'bottle caries' or 'nursing caries'.
Rampant Caries
- Extensive caries affecting multiple teeth, especially resistant to decay
Rampant Caries - Treatment
- Extensive prevention is required
- Stabilization with temporary restorations is often necessary to evaluate the response to prevent worsening before definitive restorations.
Caries Based on Anatomical Position
- Caries are categorized based on their location, including smooth surface, pit and fissure, and interproximal areas.
- GV Black Classification system outlines the classification for restorative treatment based on caries location.
- Descriptions by location: Class I (pit and fissures), Class II (proximal premolars, and molars), Class III (proximal incisor, canines, but not involving the incisal edge), Class IV (proximal anterior teeth, including part of the incisal edge) Class V (gingival 1/3 of facial/lingual/palatal surfaces of all teeth), and Class VI (incisal edges of anteriors or cusp tips of posterior teeth without involving any other surface).
Primary/Secondary Caries
- Primary caries: Caries appearing in a tooth surface that has not been treated before.
- Secondary caries: Caries affecting a tooth surface that has previously undergone treatment.
Residual Caries
- Caries that remain after a restoration is performed
- May be intentional (e.g. to seal caries close to the pulp) or unintentional (e.g., if decay was not removed prior to restoration)
White Spot Lesions and Incipient Caries
- Incipient caries refers to the early stage of carious activity that has not extended to the dentin-enamel junction.
- These lesions may be reversible with preventative measures.
- They can sometimes appear as white spot lesions.
Follow Up Reading
- Detection of dental caries lecture
- Caries prevention lectures
- Caries management lectures
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz explores the dynamic process of dental caries, focusing on its demineralization and remineralization stages. Participants will learn about the relevance of oral diseases, their aetiology, and the management of caries through minimal intervention. Test your knowledge on worldwide healthcare issues related to dental caries and its anatomical classifications.
