Exam 1; Dental Calculus Flashcards
This is mineralized plaque that forms on the surfaces of natural teeth and dental prostheses
dental calculus
What are the two types of dental calclus
supragingival
subgingival
This type of calculus is white/white-ish yellow, clay like in consistency, easily detached from the teeth, and is commonly found opposite salivary ducts
supragingival
This type of calculus is usually hard and dense, dark colored, extending to the base of the pocket but not covering the JE
subginvigal
What are the four methods for detecting calculus
tactile expoloration
dental radiographs (not always)
blast of air to open gingival margin
color of the overlying gingiva
True or False
Calculus represents a secondary products of infection is and a primary cause of periodontitis
False; it does represent secondary products of infection but it is NOT a primary cause of periodontitis
What are the two main mechanisms of attachment of calculus
underlying pellicle
penetration of surface irregularities
What changes does the pellicle undergo in order for calculus to attach
the pellicle calcifies and attaches to cementum, enamel, or dentin
What are four examples of penetration of surface irregularities which allow for calculus to attach
caries
exposed root cementum
previous insertion of Sharpey’s fibers
root resorption
Where does mineralization of calculus begin
in bacterial colonies or ECM
This form a calcium phosphate is the basis for supra gingival calculus formation and is seen in recent (<2 week old) calculus
brushite (CaH(PO4)x2H2O)
This form of calcium phosphate is predominant in exterior layers and forms platelet like crystals
octa calcium phosphate (Ca4H(PO4))3 x 2H2O
This form of calcium phosphate is predominant in layers of old calculus and forms rod or sand-grain like crystals
hydroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3 x OH
This form of calcium phosphate is the most common form in sub gingival calculus and has hexagonal crystals
whitlockite β-Ca3(PO4)2
True or False
calculus is not the etiological agent of periodontitis
True