Introduction To Dental Caries

Question 1

what is caries?

Answer 1

a plaque-related disease, dependant on the presence of simple sugars in the diet, driven by frequency of eating simple carbohydrates, modified by fluoride, salivary-flow and composition of saliva

Question 2

is there a cure to caries?

Answer 2

• no
• can be prevented
• can be repaired
• teeth can be removed/repaired

Question 3

is caries reversible?

Answer 3

only in the early stages but irreversible once a cavity forms

Question 4

what are some examples of interventive treatment for caries?

Answer 4

• simple restoration
• replacement restoration
• root canal therapy
• extraction

Question 5

what four things do caries need, to form?

Answer 5

• susceptible tooth surface
• bacteria (plaque)
• time
• substrate (sugar)

Question 6

where does plaque commonly form?

Answer 6

• pits and fissures
• interproximal (cavity between two teeth)
• smooth surfaces
• root surface
• iatrogenic

Question 7

what, by dentists, can increase chance of caries?

Answer 7

iatrogenic damage (caused by medical things)
- around margins of restorations
- plastic restorations
- crowns/bridges/inlays/overlays
- around orthodontic appliances
- around removable or partial dentures

Question 8

what are the two classifications of caries?

Answer 8

primary
secondary

Question 9

what are the classification categories of caries?

Answer 9

• coronal
• classification by site
• active/arrested/remineralised
• root

Question 10

what is the difference between primary and secondary caries?

Answer 10

secondary caries form around restorations

Question 11

why might an oral cancer patient be more susceptible to dental caries?

Answer 11

if a patient has undergone radiotherapy, their salivary glands can be damaged which reduces salivary flow which reduces buffering capacity, leading to caries

Question 12

what is the best way for dentists to tackle the problem of caries?

Answer 12

• detect caries early
• give preventative advice
• reduce need for restorations (reduces chance of caries in later life)

Question 13

what are coronal caries and how could you check for them?

Answer 13

caries reaching the inner quarter of dentine radiographically and bacteria are largely confined to the dentine
- visual detection by looking for enamel discolouration and surface destruction

Question 14

what tests can be useful to check for caries?

Answer 14

radiographs
- dark areas show decalcification

Question 15

what is caries detection?

Answer 15

determining presence/absence of disease

Question 16

what is caries diagnosis?

Answer 16

knowing whether disease is active or arrested for appropriate treatment
AND
identifying aetiology (cause) of the disease

Question 17

what are the non-operative ways of managing caries?

Answer 17

dietary analysis
- reduce amount of simple carbohydrates
oral hygiene instruction
- removal of plaque regularly by tooth brushing and interdental cleaning
fluoride exposure
- promotes remineralisation

Question 18

what factors should be considered when deciding treatment for a patient with dental caries?

Answer 18

• skills
• material
• time
• aesthetics
• cost

Question 19

What can be done to reduce caries?

Answer 19

• reduce sugar intake
• regular removal of plaque
• increase fluoride exposure
• promote remineralisation

Question 20

What can be seen visually to indicate coronal caries?

Answer 20

• enamel discolouration
• surface destruction

Question 21

What determines cavity design?

Answer 21

• structures and properties of dental tissues
• the diseases
• properties of restorative materials