CARIES SYMPOSIUM NOTES

Question 1

what is dental plaque?

Answer 1

a diverse microbial community found on the tooth surface, embedded in a matrix of polymers of bacterial & salivary origin

Question 2

what are Dental Caries?

Answer 2

Decay of dental tissues caused by demineralisation, bacterial/pathogenic infiltration and breakdown of tissues.

Question 3

what are the steps of caries progression in a tooth?

Answer 3

• adhesion of bacteria
• survival and growth
• biofilm formation
• complex plaque
• acid
• caries

Question 4

what components are necessary for progression of dental caries?

Answer 4

• susceptible tooth surface
• sugar
• acid
• time

Question 5

what acid is formed when bacteria found in plaque interacts with sugar?

Answer 5

lactic acid is formed (pH 3.5)

Question 6

what is the ‘critical pH’ dentist talk about in regards to caries initiation?

Answer 6

when pH drops below 5.5, demineralisation of tooth surfaces begins

Question 7

how does fluoride in toothpastes help demineralised teeth?

Answer 7

becomes incorporated into the enamel by forming fluoroapetite

Question 8

How can a class I restoration be described?

Answer 8

• cavity in pits or fissures of molars & premolars

- lingual surfaces of maxillary incisors

Question 9

How can a class II restoration be described?

Answer 9

cavity on proximal surfaces of premolars and molars

Question 10

How can a class III restoration be described?

Answer 10

cavity involving the interproximal surfaces of anterior teeth (not involving incisal edge)

Question 11

How can a class IV restoration be described?

Answer 11

carious lesion involving the interproximal regions of anterior teeth as well as the incisal edge

Question 12

How can a class V restoration be described?

Answer 12

carious lesion affecting the cervical third of the tooth (both anterior or posterior)

Question 13

You spot what you believe to be a carious lesion, how do you determine if it is active or non-active?

Answer 13

• soft, light brown appearance = ACTIVE

- hard, dark brown, shiney appearance = ARRESTED

Question 14

You spot a white-spot carious lesion in a patients mouth, what is it essential that you AVOID doing?

Answer 14

Do not investigate with a sharp probe, you may cause trauma to the lesion leading to cavitation.

Question 15

When investigating potentially non-cavitated carious surfaces what instrument would be appropriate to use?

Answer 15

BPE probe (ball on end helps to avoid trauma to lesion)

Question 16

what are primary caries?

Answer 16

carious lesions developed on intact, natural tooth surfaces

Question 17

what are secondary caries?

Answer 17

Carious lesions occurring as a result of an existing restoration

Question 18

what are the seven elements for caries risk?

Answer 18

1. clinical evidence
2. fluoride use
3. social history
4. dietary habits
5. plaque control
6. saliva
7. medical history

Question 19

what is meant by DMFT/dmft?

Answer 19

Decayed missing and filled teeth (capitals = adult, lowercase = child)
- highlights a patients caries risk

Question 20

what DMFT score indicates that a patient is high risk?

Answer 20

5 and up

Question 21

You ask a patient to complete a diet diary, upon reading it you notice that they have 3 separate sugar intakes in a normal day. What does this mean?

Answer 21

The patient is a HIGH CARIES RISK

- provide diet advice and explain that they should try and keep sugar intakes to minimum

Question 22

what are the eight elements of caries prevention?

Answer 22

• radiographs
• fluoride toothpaste
• toothbrushing
• fluoride varnish
• fluoride supplementation
• fissure sealants
• diet advice
• sugar free medicine

Question 23

what are white-spot lesions?

Answer 23

demineralisation of enamel