caries diagnosis

Question 1

outline the process of diagnosing caries

Answer 1

• inspect
• plaque chart of the mouth
• full mouth clean
• inspect when not dry as improves shadowing
• dry with 3 in 1 to highlight chalky areas of demineralisation

Question 2

how may debris gently be removed from fissures and pits?

Answer 2

using a CPITN probe

- ball ended so no cavitation

Question 3

how may we view and diagnose interproximal caries?

Answer 3

horizontal / vertical bitewings

TETS - temporary elective tooth separation

Question 4

how may pit and fissure staining be confused for caries?

Answer 4

no chalky white appearance is most likely staining due to tea, coffee or tobacco

Question 5

when may tactile assessment of caries occur?

Answer 5

not for enamel caries! risk of cavitation

only for dentinal and root caries to detect if the region is active or inactive

Question 6

outline procedure for diagnosing root surface caries

Answer 6

clean the tooth as caries cannot be viewed under the plaque

tactile assessment with probe to check if arrested or active

visual assessment

• dimensions
• positions
• colour?

Question 7

when would you not treat root caries?

Answer 7

lesion is dark and hard - arrested

does not trap plaque

patient is compliant with treatment and OHI

Question 8

how does secondary caries actually progress?

Answer 8

must come from outside, so if restoration margins look tight and unbroken its highly unlikely there is secondary caries