Dental Calculus

Question 1

_______ is mineralized plaque that forms on the surfaces of natural teeth and dental prostheses.

Answer 1

Dental Calculus

Question 2

What are the two types of dental calculus?

Answer 2

Supragingival

Subgingival

Question 3

How do supra- and sub- gingival calculus differ based on their color?

Answer 3

Supragingival: white/whitish-yellow
Subgingival: Dark colored

Question 4

In what case could supragingival calculus present itself as dark-colored?

Answer 4

If it were previously subgingival and then tissue recession caused it to become supragingival

Question 5

________ calculus has a clay-like consistency; whereas, ______ calculus is hard and dense.

Answer 5

Supragingival

Subgingival

Question 6

Which type of calculus is commonly found adjacent to the opening to salivary ducts?

Answer 6

supragingival

Question 7

True or False: Supragingival plaque is easily detached from the tooth surface.

Answer 7

true

Question 8

Does subgingival calculus extend to the base of pockets and contact the JE?

Answer 8

No, it extends to the base of the pocket but does not reach the JE

Question 9

What are four methods used to detect dental calculus?

Answer 9

1. Tactile exploration (11/12 explorer)
2. Dental Radiographs- sometimes
3. Blast of Air to open margins
4. Color of the overlying gingiva

Question 10

If thick enough, how does dental calculus present itself on a dental radiograph?

Answer 10

calculus “spurs” can be seen in the interproximal spaces

Question 11

How can calculus be detected with air-drying?

Answer 11

Pointing the air into the open margin will cause gingiva to pull away from the tooth surface and expose calculus

Question 12

Dental calculus represents a _______ product of infection, not a cause of periodontitis.

Answer 12

secondary

Question 13

Clinically, subgingival calculus is most frequently diagnosed using which method?

Answer 13

Tactile exploration

Question 14

How does calculus attach (two ways)?

Answer 14

1. Underlying pellicle calcifies and attaches to tooth

2. Penetration of surface irregularities

Question 15

Where does mineralization of calculus begin?

Answer 15

bacterial colonies or ECM

Question 16

What are the four forms of calcium phosphate?

Answer 16

1. Brushite (B)
2. Octa calcium phosphate (OCP)
3. Hydroxyapatite (HA)
4. Whitlockite (W)

Question 17

Which form of calcium phosphate is found in calculus that is less than two weeks old (NEW) and is the basis for supragingival calculus formation?

Answer 17

Brushite

Question 18

Which form of calcium phosphate is predominant in exterior layers and forms platelet-like crystals?

Answer 18

OCP (octa calcium phosphate)

Question 19

Which form of calcium phosphate is predominant in inner layers of OLD calculus and forms rod-like crystals?

Answer 19

Hydroxyapatite

Question 20

Which form of calcium phosphate forms hexagonal crystals and is the most common form in subgingival calculus?

Answer 20

Whitlockite

Question 21

True or False: Caculus is the etiological agent of periodontitis.

Answer 21

FALSE! it is not the etiological agent

Question 22

Does roughness of calculus initiate gingivitis?

Answer 22

NO! roughness increases the ability for bacteria to attach but does not directly cause gingivitis

Question 23

Why is calculus removed?

Answer 23

because of its plaque retentive nature and because it keeps plaque in close proximity to tissues (holding active species near tissue causes inflammation)