What is etiopathology?
- Consideration of the cause of an abnormal state or finding
What are the 4 things needed for caries to develop?
- Bacteria (dental plaque)
- Susceptible tooth surface
- Substrate (diet)
- Time
What are the secondary elements that contribute to the production of caries? (6 points)
- Social class
- Income
- Knowledge
- Attitudes
- Behaviour
- Education
What is caries?
- Demineralisation of tooth surface produced by bacteria that have produced acid
How deep does caries go?
- As deep as it progresses
Can demineralised tissue be repaired?
- Initially, demineralization can be arrested and remineralization can be promoted, for example, by the use of topical fluoride gels or varnishes
- If early enamel demineralisation is not treated to arrest the damage, and its causes are not eliminated, it may be necessary to cut out the weakened tooth enamel and place some type of dental restoration - which is certainly indicated if the demineralisation extends into the dentin layer of the tooth or produces an irregular, plaque-retentive enamel surface
- Prevention is preferred, avoid doing restorative procedures = gives better life to the patient
What happens to the subsurface of enamel when there is a lesion?
- It is lost
What happens to the gaps between enamel rods in an enamel lesion?
- Enlarged gaps
What is a white spot lesion?
- The first sign of demineralisation of the enamel surface of a tooth; produces a chalky white appearance
In a white spot lesion, what happens to the enamel rods?
They become thinner and round shaped
An active white spot lesion is chalky in colour, what do they look like as they remineralize?
- They become brighter
Where should white spot lesions be found if they are active/inactive?
Active - At the gingival margin
Inactive - Not at the gingival margin
Microscopically what does an active white spot lesion look like?
- Rough surface
- Gaps, blobby arrangement
Microscopically what does an inactive white spot lesion look like?
- Smoother surface
Where are where spot lesions commonly found?
- In pits and fissures
- Along the gingival margin
What is sclerotic dentin?
- Dentin characterised by calcification of the dentinal tubules as a result of injury or normal aging
- Tertiary dentine
What is another name for sclerotic dentine?
- Tertiary dentine
When the caries reaches dentine it will spread quickly. Why is this?
- When dentinal tubules reach the ADJ they spread - so caries spread quickly
What happens to the enamel rods length in an enamel lesion?
- Length is preserved
