Clinical presentation of caries Flashcards
What is the defintion of dental caries?
a disease of the mineralised tissues of the teeth caused by the action of micro-organisms on fermentable carbohydrates
is dental caries preventable
yes, fully
enamel is organic or inorganic?
inorganic
dentine is organic or inorganic?
organic so more suceptible to caries
when can you get root surface caries?
on an exposed root following recession or shrinkage
when to operatively treat a tooth?
- caries (clinically or radiographically
- following trauma
- tooth wear (NCTSL)
- developmental defects
treatment of a white spot lesion
- ohi
- topical fluoride
- diet advice
when was a global decline in dental caries seen?
1970
what does NDIP stand for?
national dental inspection program
what is the duty of NDIP?
- monitors if child smile is working
- inspects all p1 - p7 students in scotland
- one basic inspection each year
- one detailed inspection every second year
what is the function of screening for dental caries in children?
to identify individuals at greatest risk of developing caries in future
caries is a dynamic process meaning…
your caries risk can change at any time
having a natural dentition when elderly leads to an increase in what 3 things?
- root caries
- treatment required
- NCTSL
why are elderly patients more liekly to get root caries?
had teeth for longer = increased change of having disease at some point = shrinkage occuring = increased root exposure = vulnerable to caries
what age should bitewings be taken from?
age 5
A patient with medium caries risk is due their annual bitewings but they had a dpt taken for ortho 6 months ago. what do you do?
wait 6 months and take bitewings
most common type of caries in a deciduous tooth?
occlusal
why does caries spread quicker in a deciduous tooth?
it does not have as far to go to reach the ADJ
define rampant/acute caries
rapidly occurring caries affecting several teeth
rampant caries can be called nursing bottle caries if on what surfaces?
the labial surfaces
what is the clinical appearance of an active white spot lesion?
white and chalky with a loss of lustre (shine)
what is the clinical apperance of an inactive white spot lesion?
white or brown with a glossy surface
how does enamel caries progress?
in an EPISODIC fashion
arrested root surface caries will look…
very dark and hard
why are bitewings essential?
visual exam is only 50% of approximal caries
what are the 2 things that happen to protect the pulp-dentine complex when caries reaches dentine?
- bacterial toxins elicit pain by moving through dentine tubules and evoke an inflammatory reaction in pulp (pulpitis)
- reactionary (tertiary) dentine forms which decreases the permeability of the tubules and allows the pulp to retreat
when will you get acute pulpitis?
when the pulp is exposed to caries
pulp exposed to caries leads to….
pulp necrosis which releases toxins (irriversible pulpitis)
toxins from the pulp necrosis spread where? causing what?
the apex of the root which causes periradicular periodontitis or apical periodontits
what is periradicular periodontitis?
- pain and inflammation of the periodontium at the root at the root of the tooth
what is the aim of restoring a cavity?
to remove any bacterial infection before carious exposure of the pulp
how can pulpitis be resolved?
- complete caries removal and restoring with non irritant material and resolution of pain
what are the two types of pulpitits?
- reversible
2. irriversible
what is cellulitis?
localised blood poisoning giving a swelling of the mouth and facial soft tissues due to a spread of infection and inflammation across the facial planes
what is ludwig angina? how does it carry a risk of death?
a progression of severe cellulitis
causing an elevated tongue > asphyxiation
what is primary root caries?
caries on root surface that has no inital involvement of adjacent enamel or restorations
what is secondary root caries?
caries on root surface adjacent to an existing restoration
