Dental Calculus Flashcards
Does calculus cause disease?
Not directly.
It has a rough surface, so plaque ends up on that.
The bacteria on that plaque cause disease
Dental Calculus definition
Mineralized plaque that forms on the surfaces of natural teeth and dental prosthetics
What are the two types of dental calculus?
Supragingival
Subgingival
Supragingival calculus
Coronal to gingival margin
White/whiteish-yellow
Clay-like consistency
Easily detached from tooth surface
Where is supragingival calculus classically found?
Opposite the salivary ducts
- Buccal of max. molars
- Lingual of man. incisors
Subgingival calculus
Below the gingival margin
Hard, dense
Dark colored
Extends to the base of the pocket, but does not reach it
With gingival recession, subgingival becomes supragingival
How can you detect dental calculus?
Tactile exploration (11/12 explorer)
Dental radiographs (‘spur’ appearance)
A blast of air to open the gingival margin
Color of the overlying gingiva
T/F - Calculus represents a secondary product of infection and not a primary cause of periodontitis
True
How does dental calculus attach to the tooth?
Pellicle calcifies and attaches to the cementum, dentin, or enamel
How does dental calculus penetrate a tooth?
It penetrates through surface irregularities
- caries
- exposed root cementum
- previous insertions points of Sharpey’s fiers that were lost due to attachment loss
- root reabsorption
What are the different forms of Calcium Phosphate?
Brushite
Octacalcium phosphate (OOP)
Hydroxyapatite (HA)
Whitlockite (W)
Brushite
CaH(PO4)x2H2O
Basis for supragingival calculus formation
Seen in recent (
Octacalcium phosphate
Ca4H(PO4)3x2H20
Predominant in exterior layers (newer layers) of calculus
Forms platelet like crystals
Hydroxyapatite
Ca5H(PO4)3xOH
The most predominant form of calcium phosphate
Predominant in inner layers of older calculus
Forms rods or sand-grain like crystals
Whitlockite
B-Ca3(PO4)2
Most common form of subgingival calculus
Hexagonal crystals
