clinical presentation of caries

Question 1

what is dental caries?

Answer 1

a disease of the mineralised tissues of teeth caused by the action of micro organisms on fermentable carbohydrates
characterised by the demineralisation of the mineralised portion of the tissues followed by disintegration of the organic material
PREVENTABLE

Question 2

what micro organisms are involved in dental caries?

Answer 2

streptococcus mutans

lactobacilli

Question 3

what sites of a tooth are susceptible to plaque accumulation?

Answer 3

enamel pits/fissures
approximal areas
cervical areas
root surfaces with perio disease
margins of restoration

Question 4

what 4 conditions result in defective tooth structure?

Answer 4

caries
trauma
tooth wear
development defects

Question 5

when to treat caries operatively?

Answer 5

visible cavitation

caries at EDJ

Question 6

what is the national dental inspection programme?

Answer 6

began 2003
inspects all p1/p7 children in scotland
basic inspection - annually
detailed - biannulayy

Question 7

what types of radiographs are used to screen caries in children?

Answer 7

bitewings - age 5 on

lateral oblique of the jaw if no co operation for bitewings

Question 8

what are rampant caries?

Answer 8

affect deciduous dentition
involve several teeth and occur rapidly
when labial surfaces of upper anterior teeth are involved = nursing bottle caries

Question 9

how does dental caries progress?

Answer 9

in an episodic fashion

Question 10

what surface of the teeth is dynamic?

Answer 10

enamel - constant demineralisation and remineralisation

Question 11

what way does caries spread?

Answer 11

laterally - undermining enamel

Question 12

when caries hits dentine, what processes start to try and prevent the disease?

Answer 12

pulp - dentine complex reacts to protect tooth vitality

reactionary dentine forms - decreasing permeability of tubules and allows pulp to retreat

Question 13

what type of inflammation of the pulp may occur?

Answer 13

pulpitis - chronic/acute

Question 14

what occurs once acute inflammation spreads through the pulp?

Answer 14

pulpal necrosis

Question 15

toxins from the necrosis spread to the root apex and cause what?

Answer 15

acute/chronic periradicular periodontitis

Question 16

what does pain from a tooth indicate?

Answer 16

inflammation of the pulp

Question 17

what is reversible pulpitis?

Answer 17

remove infection and restore - pain will resolve

Question 18

what is irriversible pulpitis?

Answer 18

leads to pulpal necrosis

Question 19

what can periradicular periodontitis lead to?

Answer 19

abscess - swelling/sinus

Question 20

what is a periapical/peririadicular abscess caused by?

Answer 20

progression of irriversible pulpitis where exudate extends into the adjacent hard and soft tissues

Question 21

what is cellulitis?

Answer 21

swelling of soft tissue of the mouth and dace from a diffuse spread of infection and inflammation along facial planes

Question 22

what is ludwig angina?

Answer 22

progression from severe cellulitis
involves FOM - elevated tongue = difficulty swallowing and breathing
risk of death by asphyxiation