Dental Calculus

Question 1

on what kind of surfaces does calculus adhere to?

Answer 1

hard porous surfaces like cementum

Question 2

how does calculus damage the gingiva?

Answer 2

it doesnt directly, theres always plaque on it which causes the inflammation; toxin can be adsorbed into the calculus which can damage the gingiva too

Question 3

what are the classifications of dental calculus?

Answer 3

supragingival and subgingival

Question 4

what does supragingival and subgingival look like?

Answer 4

supra is white/yellow, sub is green/black

Question 5

T or F

supragingival plaque adheres to the tooth stronger than subgingival.

Answer 5

F

subgingival is harder to remove

Question 6

where is DC most likely to form?

Answer 6

lingual of mandibular anteriors

Question 7

where id DC second to form?

Answer 7

buccal of maxillary molars

Question 8

where does supragingival calculus receive its mineral from?
saliva
plaque
serum transudate

Answer 8

saliva AND plaque

Question 9

where does subgingival calculus receive its mineral from?

saliva
plaque
serum transudate
bacteria

Answer 9

serum transudate

Question 10

T or F

Calculus can form without the presence of bacteria

Answer 10

very T

Question 11

how does calculus form?

Answer 11

1) Higher pH, lower CO2, higher ammonia formation and phosphatase creating PO3 ions from calcium phosphate

2) HETEROGENEOUS NUCLEATION
seeding agents cause foci to start chrystalizing

Question 12

what is calculus made of?

Answer 12

mostly (70%-90%) inorganic material

Question 13

what is the main constituent of calculus?

Answer 13

calcium phosphate

Question 14

what inorganic compounds other than calcium phosphate, can be in calculus

Answer 14

calcium carbonate, and magnesium phosphate

Question 15

what kind of crystals are found most commonly in dental calculus?

Answer 15

hydroxyapatite and octacalcium

Question 16

what are the four ways calculus can adhere to a tooth

Answer 16

1) enamel via pellicle
2) cementum via mechanical locking into irregularaties
3) close adaptation to the cementum
4) penetration of calculus into cementum

Question 17

how does calculs adhere to enamel?

Answer 17

via pellicle, thus making it easier to remove

Question 18

its harder to remove calculus in..

shallow or deep pockets?
single-rooted or multirooted?

Answer 18

deep and multirooted

Question 19

T or F

its easier to visually detect subgingival because supragingival is white and yellow.

Answer 19

F although the reason is an accurate statement

Question 20

what instrument would be the best to detect subgingival calculus?

Answer 20

11/12 explorer

Question 21

what is the correct way of detecting supragingival calculus?

Answer 21

drying with air and visual inspection for a chalky appearance

Question 22

to what extend does does subgingival calculus go into a pocket?

Answer 22

pretty much all the way but stops at the junctional epithelium

Question 23

if plaque is the main etiological factor of periodontal disease then why remove calculus?

Answer 23

because its a site for plaque to grow even though calculus alone does not cause PD

Question 24

what can be used to to inhibit calculus formation

Answer 24

pyrophosphate

zinc salts and bisphosphonates can be used too

Question 25

how does pyrophosphate inihibit calculus formation

Answer 25

inhibits the crystallization of calcium phosphate into hydroxyapatite since pyro-P is a structural analog of ortho-P which is needed for crystallization

also inhibits bacterial growth at lower concentrations

all just inhibits, no active destruction

Question 26

what can be sued to inihibit plaque formation

Answer 26

triclosan; destroys bacterial membrane (active)

Question 27

how are people categorized when it comes to calculus formation?

Answer 27

slight, moderate, heavy and non formers