hard tissue pathology - caries III Early Enamel Lesion Flashcards

1
Q

what is the basic enamel structure?

A

Tightly packed hydroxyapatite crystals.
Each crystal separated by pores.
Pores filled with water and organic matrix.
Acids remove mineral from crystal surface-crystal shrinks in size.
Pores enlarge and tissue becomes porous.

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2
Q

what is the name of earliest sign of the enamel lesion?

A

white spot lesion

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3
Q

is the white spot lesion reversible?

A

Reversible at this stage-Saliva, oral hygiene, fluoride.

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4
Q

when may demineralisation occur?

A

May occur after one week of plaque accumulation.
Reversible at this stage.

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5
Q

what is remineralisation?

A

restoring minerals to demineralised structures
Remineralised lesions more resistant to further acid attack-resembles scar tissue.
White spot becomes less obvious-may even disappear.
Also saliva is remineralising fluid.

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6
Q

What are microscopic features of early ennamel lesion?

A

white spot lesion
Commonly seen on extracted teeth as small,opaque,white area cervical to contact point.

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7
Q

what is the histological picture of early enamel lesion?

A

On smooth surface, lesion is usually cone shaped-apex towards dentine.
Shape follows direction of prisms.
Centre of cone corresponds to deepest portion of lesion-also oldest and most active.
Spreads laterally on the surface of tooth.
Divided into 4 zones-translucent,dark, body and surface.

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8
Q

what are the 4 zones of enamel caries?

A

translucent, dark, body and surface

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9
Q

what is the translucent zone ?

A

First recognisable alteration from normal enamel
Appears structureless
Demarcated from normal enamel and dark zone by darker line
Pore volume of <1%
Pores located at junctional sites

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10
Q

what is the dark zone?

A

Lies between translucent zone and body of lesion.
More porous than translucent zone.
Pore volume 2-4%.
Pores both large and small.
Small pores probably represent areas of mineral re-deposition.
Arrested lesions show well developed dark zones at front, within body and at surface of lesion.

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11
Q

what is the body of lesion zone?

A

Largest area.
Striae of Retzius well marked.
Pore volume 5% at periphery and up to 25% at centre.

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12
Q

what is the surface zone?

A

unaffected area.

Pore volume of <1%.

High degree of mineralization.

High fluoride content.

Active de- and re-mineralisation.
Surface zone may be manifestation of remineralisation.

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13
Q

what are 4 ways of management of early lesions?

A

OHI
Diet
fluoride
Saliva - Capable of regulating pH of oral cavity- bicarbonate and phosphate production.

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