Caries Lab Flashcards
Caries process vs Caries disease
Caries PROCESS: is a natural phenomenon
there is always deminieralization and remineralization happening in our teeth
Caries DISEASE: is when the demineralization is greater than the remineralization/ the balance is disturbed.
Is caries an infectious disease?
It is caused by bacteria, the OPPORTUNISTIC bacteria that take advantage of the imbalance in the microflora/ biofilm demineralization/ increased porosity
Caries lesion vs cavitation
Caries lesion; is a consequence of caries disease process. Can be in a state of regression or progression/ arrested vs active
Cavitation: severe form of caries lesion where there is loss of surface tooth integrity AND exposed dentin
Ecological Plaque Hypothesis
Net mineral gain: - Lesion regression/arrest Surface feature: - shiny/smooth: enamel - Shiny/hard: dentin
( even if it is BLACK if it is shiny and hard = net mineral GAIN)
Net mineral loss Lesion initiation/progression Surface features: - dull/rough: enamel - dull/soft: dentin
Dynamic Stability stage
Low-pH non MS and Actinomyces
Dominance of non MS and actinomyces
What are the three tooth biofilm stages
Dynamic Stability stage
Acidogenic Stage
Aciduric Stage
Acidogenic Stage
Low- pH, non MS and Actinomyces
Aciduric Stage
Increase in MS and non-mutans aciduric bacteria
Define Caries Diagnosis
It is the human professional summation of all the signs and symptoms of disease in order to chose the best possible way of managing the caries process.
(Schulte et al., 2011)
why must we use a ball ended probe
Demineralized surface can be damaged by sharp explorer !!
Use your vision
o Use a ball-ended probe if needed o Do not put much pressure when
probing the surface!
What are the four clinical indicators for caries lesion?
- change in colour (sharp/dark colour changes)
- white, yellow, black - shape (banana, kidney, other)
- Location (plaque stagnation areas)
- Change in tooth surface integrity (cavitation)
Define Normal and Sound Enamel
Micro-porous solid
Considits of tightly packed crystals
A glass like appearance: SMOOTH and SHIINY
TRANSLUCENT
White Spot lesion in Caries Lesion
due to increased enamel porosity
there is DECREASED translucency, INCREASED opacity/matte appearance
Yellow/Brownish Caries Lesions
What makes them change colour? when there is an active caries lesion (more deminieralization) diet will stain the more porous area.
when there is cavitation, it will be yellowy because of the EXPOSED dentin
Colour of caries lesion: dark brown/ black
how do you know it’s not a stain?
caries lesions are DARK colours, very sharp colour change vs stains are more faint, lights colours like reddish brown or grey!!