Introduction to Dental Caries Flashcards
name the causes of caries
sugar, bacteria, time and a susceptible surface of a tooth
how do caries present?
sensitivity to hot and coldness, pain and appearance
what is the treatment required for caries
restorations and extractions
how do you prevent dental caries?
giving dietary advice, oral hygiene instructions and fluoride
are caries reversible?
yes in the early stages but irreversible once a cavity forms
name the different types of interventive treatment
simple restoration, replacement restoration, root canal therapy, extraction
what does interventive treatment depend on?
signs and symptoms, damage done, patient preferences, cost and time
what do you always look for when examining a patient?
caries, periodontal disease and oral mucosal disease e.g. oral cancer
what is the definition of dental caries?
a plaque-related disease, dependent 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
where does plaque form?
plaque traps, contact points, iatrogenic
when do plaque traps form?
when restorations aren’t done properly
give examples of plaque traps
pit and fissure, interproximal, smooth surfaces, root surface
what are contact points?
interproximal surfaces, hard to see and clean
what are iatrogenics?
around margins of restorations, plastic restorations, crowns/bridges/inlays/onlays, around orthodontic appliances, around removable partial dentures
what can we do to reduce caries?
reduce intake of sugars, remove plaque regularly, increase exposure to fluoride, tip balance towards remineralisation
what are the different classifications of caries?
primary or secondary? coronal or root? active, arrested or remineralised? primary, coronal and remineralised?
what are primary caries?
no restorations, are classified by site, active/arrested/remineralised, root
what are secondary caries?
around a restoration and can be coronal or root
what caries advice do we need to give to patients?
caries - PREVENTIVE advice and reduce restorative information
what is the visual representation of caries?
enamel discoloration and/or surface destruction
what is involved in the detection of caries?
determining the presence or absence of the disease
what is involved in the diagnosis of caries?
determining the presence of absence of the disease, knowing whether the disease is active or arrested so that the appropriate treatment can be planned, identifying the aetiology of the disease
what are the non-operative managements of dental caries?
dietary analysis, oral hygiene instruction and increasing fluoride exposure
why is dietary analysis important in management of caries?
it reduces the amount of simple carbohydrates
what oral hygiene instruction is given in management of caries?
remove plaque regularly, toothbrushing and interdental cleaning
why is increased fluoride exposure important in managing dental caries?
to tip the balance towards remineralisation
what determines cavity design?
structure and properties of the dental tissues, the diseases, properties of restorative materials
what must be reviewed and reassessed continually when preparing a tooth to receive restoration?
the position of the caries, the extent of the caries, the shape of the prepared cavity, the final restorative material
what are the different position of caries?
pit and fissure, approximal, smooth surface, root
where are approximal caries?
anterior and posterior
what can occur on the smooth surface of a tooth?
caries, erosion, abrasion, abfraction, hypoplasia
what are the different things to consider when restoring teeth?
skills, material, time, aesthetics, cost
