ICP L6: Enamel homeostasis and caries development Flashcards
How can loss of tooth mineral occur
- caries
- gustatory acids
- dietary sources
- erosion
- mechanical wear; attrition, abrasion, abfraction
What is caries
Loss of tooth substance by metabolically produced acids, it is a bacterial disease and involves molecular level interactions between bacterium and sugars
Define primary caries
Lesions on unrestored surfaces
Define secondary caries
Recurrent lesions adjacent to fillings ocuring marginally
Define residual caries
Demineralised tissue left behind before a filling has been placed
Define active caries
This is considered to be a progressive form
Define arrested caries
Considered a no longer progressive form
What is a white spot lesion
The first visible sign by naked eye - detected by shining bright white light; these are reversible and do not need surgical intervention
What is a brown spot lesion
An inactive white spot lesion discoloured by the uptake of dye from food debris
What is rampant caries
Multiple active carious lesions in the same patient (often linked to xerostomia)
What is hidden caries
Usually in dentine and only detectable by radiography (this means the lesion is large and so not reversible)
How can white spot lesions be differentiated from defects
Defects will not change in shape or size and so successive visits can be used to differentiate between these
What is the difference between an active cavitated and an active non-cavitated lesion
Non-cavitated is present on the tooth surface, cavitated white lesions go deeper into the underlying tooth material - this requires surgical intervention and so cannot be repaired naturally
What are cavitated lesions filled with
Dental plaque
Why do white lesions occur
Because there are micropores in the enamel surface as demineralisation has started; this scatters white light and so the white lesion is an optical phenomena for early caries detection
