LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO CARIOLOGY Flashcards
It is the biological basis for concepts and treatment procedures.
Cariology
Cariology studies the _______, _______, _______ and _______ of caries, including the therapeutic and restorative implications.
initiation, progression, treatment and prevention
“Cario” means ______
Caries
“Ogy” means ______
Study
“Cario” + “Ogy” =
Cariology - The scientific study of how caries develop
These are bacterial infections caused by a specific bacteria.
Dental Caries
Reversible multifactorial process of ______ and ______.
Demineralization and Remineralization
Caries become irreversible due to?
Continuous demineralization
Caries can be reversed by remineralization by _________.
applying fluoride to the hydroxyapatite crystals of the tooth structure
Characteristics of Caries
- Communicable
- Transmissible
- Infectious bacterial infection
This is commonly the first tooth that becomes affected by caries.
First Molar
Who postulated that dental caries is a specific and treatable bacterial infection due to mutans streptococcus and in later stages, lactobacillus.
Loesch, 1976
Primary responsible source and is transmitted from other humans.
Mutans Streptococcus
How does bacteria thrive in the teeth?
- Source/Reservoir
- Transfer Agent
- Colonization
For an infectious disease to occur, it must have a ___________.
Source or reservoir (person, animal, soil).
The bacteria/potential microorganisms are transmissible directly and indirectly. The transfer agent of the bacteria is the _______.
Saliva
Pathogens must survive the transfer to thrive in the teeth and successfully establish within the host.
Transfer Agent
Dental caries attempt several times and only at specific time periods. What is the meaning of thiz?
When teeth are vulnerable to bacteria, they are more prone to caries. An example of a period when the teeth are vulnerable to bacteria would be after eating where fermentable carbohydrates resides in the teeth.
The multiplication of organisms.
Colonization
Bacteria colonizes the teeth, most especially when the person is dependent on ________ and other local factors.
sugar intake
Caries Prevention in the Form of:
- Use of oral hygiene
- Fluoride
- Pits and Fissure Sealants
- Prevention of Extension
This treatment repairs damage without the identification of its causative agents.
Traditional Treatment
Strategies to follow for caries control in the current model:
- Identify the individuals’ caries risk and activity by a complete assessment procedure.
- Control oral bacterial levels.
- Identify measures which will shift the patient at risk to a low risk category.
- Identify how non-cavitated lesions should be treated from remineralization and reversal.
- Cavitated lesions will be treated in a traditional manner.
- Home and office maintenance procedures.
Status of the whole patient, the likelihood of the patient getting a new cavitation.
Caries Risk
Status of the carious processes (demineralization/remineralization).
Caries Activity
Active lesion progressing towards cavitation. Presence of Brown spots.
Demineralization
Inactive lesions are not progressing but healing. This is a reversible, multifactorial process. Presence of white spots means reversible.
Remineralization
In caries risk and caries activity assessment, we have to identify the host risk factors. What are these host risk factors?
- Medical History
- Dental Caries Status
- Fluoride Use
- Salivary Assessment
- Diet Assessment
- Bacterial Assessment
- Tooth Surface Activity Assessment
Examination of the whole oral cavity. The most affected teeth have a high caries risk.
Dental Caries Status
Laboratory test using a petri dish. More presence of bacteria, higher risk.
Bacterial Assessment
Assessing the facial, lingual, mesial, distal, occlusal/incisal, and cervical surface. If 3 out of 6 surfaces have caries, the patient has a high caries risk.
Tooth Surface Activity Assessment
Restore dental caries when it reaches DEJ or slightly to the dentin. It is considered a radical treatment internationally.
U.S. Tradition
