Root Surface Caries
Caries can affect any surface of the teeth. The most commonly seen caries are found on the crown of a tooth, above the cemento-enamel junction, it is also possible for caries to form on the root surface, below the cemento-enamel junction. Dental root caries has received a great deal of attention in the past few decades. A variety of different patients are at risk for root surface caries. Dentists use several methods of treatment.
Root surface caries are also called cemental caries, cervical caries, or radicular caries. (Wilkins) Root surface caries only involves the roots of teeth. The cementum and dentin located just below the crown of the tooth is involved. No involvement of enamel is seen with root surface caries. Bone loss and corresponding gingival recession are the first symptoms to be seen in the caries process. These result in exposed root surfaces, which are more prone to forming caries because caries does not form in the root surface while periodontal fibers are still attached. Clinically, the lesion starts on the root surface. It has been found that root caries spreads in a lateral or circumferential manner, and over time can extend completely around the tooth, undermining the enamel. (Wilkins)
In general, root caries have the same etiology as coronal cavities. S. mutans, Lactobacilli, and sometimes, Actinomyces are involved and are found in high numbers in root caries, but there are two main differences between enamel and root surface caries. (Flaitz) These differences cause the lesion on a root surface to be more destructive than that in enamel. First, because the pH at which demineralization will occur is higher for root cementum (approx. pH 6.0) than for enamel (approx. pH 5.0).(Wilkins) Therefore, root cementum has potential for demineralization at an earlier point in time than enamel does. Secondly, once the cementum is demineralized, the dentin contains dentinal tubules which, if present, are potential methods of entry for the pathogenic microbes as mentioned previously, such as S. mutans, Lactobacilli, and sometimes Actinomyces; whereas, enamel consists of tightly-arranged crystal prisms, which have a much lower chance for bacterial entry. The process of caries formation begins with colonization by acid-producing bacteria plaque. In the next step, Gram-positive bacteria invade the dentinal tubules, which leads to the ...
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...at more tentatively, with fluoride gels and varnishes or a chlorhexidine varnish. Some dentists may restore root caries with amalgam restorations. Another treatment option used by some dentists to restore root caries is Glass Ionomer Cements. Glass ionomer cements were first introduced in the early 1970s. They have good adherence to mineralized tooth tissue, which keeps the removal of tooth structure to a minimum. Glass ionomer cements also have the ability to leak and absorb fluoride into the tooth, which decreases the rate of secondary caries. These factors have increased the potential for glass ionomer cements to replace amalgam as a restorative material. (Hammel)
Although the most common caries seen are coronal, root surface caries present just as much of a problem. Once root caries are detected, the bacteria have already begun to demineralize the cementum or dentin and create a great deal of damage. There are several different ways that root caries may appear clinically. A variety of different patients are at risk for root surface caries. Different measures can be taken to prevent root surface caries. Methods of treatment differ among dentists, but there are several choices.
Pit and fissure sealants are tooth coloured materials that are applied on the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth in deep grooves, pits and fissures. They protect the tooth from various bacterial plaques in these caries prone areas of the teeth. The sealants protect these areas by sealing of the entrance to bacteria which give rise to dental caries in susceptible individuals especially in children. Pit and fissure sealants are now commonly being used due to the increase in the awareness among public about dental caries prevention
Poor dental hygiene is the main cause of cavities. Cavities depending on how bad the pulp decay inside the tooth ...
Native Americans are amongst the most disadvantaged and poorest. They suffer the worst health conditions, receive the least educational and employment opportunities, treated unjustly by society, had their culture and traditions significantly ruined and have their much loved environment destroyed. This is the result of colonisation, disease and removal from their homeland by the European settlers. It took only three centuries for them to destroy a culture that had been in existence for more than 20,000 years, and although many groups are attempting to regain their cultural identity, it will never be the same
The destruction of tooth structure associated with decay can lead to the development of holes in the teeth, more commonly referred to as
To be eligible for a dental crown, use must have healthy gums. This is because the crown will work in tandem with the healthy foundation of the remaining tooth or implant in order to support the crown.
Humans only get one set of adult teeth after losing all of their primary teeth therefore, it is important to take care of them. “Dental caries: Strategies to control this preventable disease” is an article written by Rugg-Gunn, Andrew presents several reasons why dental decay is a widespread disease. Rugg-Gunn cites that the main cause of dental decay is lack of fluoride, poor diet, bacteria from plaque, and sugars. Based on this evidence, Rugg-Gunn concludes that “dental caries can be prevented” (Rugg-Gunn128), but there is no evidence of stopping the disease from happening. While Rugg-Gunn raises a revolving problem around the world with human oral decay he however, does not have a good approach on what decay really is.
If plaque build-up on teeth is exposed to simple carbohydrates—a.k.a. sugar—the bacteria will produce acid as a byproduct. If this acid is left to sit on teeth, it leeches the minerals from your pearly smile, weakening the tooth. After enough time, the tooth will break and cause a
Everyone has teeth, and society likes them to be as white as possible. But does everyone know the parts of the tooth? The tooth has four parts: dental pulp, dentin, enamel, and cementumcentenum. Dental pulp is the center part of the tooth and is made of tissue and nerves. Dentin is connected to the dental pulp and is the second hardest part of the tooth. Enamel is the hard, outer layer that surrounds the tooth. Enamel cannot be repaired or replaced. One can only prevent its loss, which is why we brush our teeth so often to help eliminate the plaque and acids that certain sodas and other sugary drinks try so hard to remove. Without enamel, teeth would erode within days of their coming in. And last but not least, cementumcentenum. CementumCentenum covers the root of the tooth and it anchors the root to the skin.
However, on the a recent visit dated 23/12/13 the patient’s gingival condition had deteriorated, presenting with an increased plaque scores of 34% and bleeding scores to 63%. Intra oral examination also showed generalised oedema and erythema throughout in the mouth in response to this increase in plaque bacteria. The presence of supra-gingival calculus on lower anterior teeth and both sites of upper buccal molars and the patients BPE now reads 212 /121, putting the patients caries risk at a ‘High’ status.
In humans, the change is unidentified. It has been found in animals by placing a silk ligature around the teeth in dogs or monkeys. A similar response in humans may occur when food is retained in between the teeth or when a improper restored tooth is poorly done, resulting in an overhang where bacteria can grow excessively at the junction of the tooth surface. When amalgam restorations were placed, it was shown that an increase in both spirochetes and black-pigmented Prevotella and Porphyromonas species amplified in the adjacent plaque and bleeding in the gingiva was witnessed.
Multiple studies were conducted. Bahleda and Fontana surveyed 250 dentists in Indianapolis about their use and formal recording of caries risk assessment and management strategies. The study showed the majority of dentists asked their patients about
Dental caries commonly known as tooth decay is a demineralization process of the tooth structure mainly due to bacteria. It could be caused by risk factors such as dryness of the mouth, poor oral hygiene, frequent high sugar intake, acidic environment etc. In this paper, I would like to discuss if smoking can directly cause any increase in dental caries.
The relationship between periodontal disease and pulpal infection occurs primarily by the intimate anatomic and vascular interactions between the pulp and the periodontium. As such, when we as dentists see these periapical lesions affecting the periodontium and the apical tissue, proper diagnosis and treatment is of utmost importance if we are to give the affected tooth a hopeful prognosis.
After a person has had untreated gingivitis for some time, plaque starts to grow and spread. It travels down below the gum line and the bacteria produce toxins. These toxins irritate the gums and cause the body¡¯s natural defenses to kick in. When the inflammatory response has been triggered for a while it causes the tissues that support the teeth and bone to break down. The gums begin to pull away from the tooth and a pocket forms.
Cavities are produced by harmful bacteria that live in our mouth. Eating food, especially food that has a lot of sugar, feeds this bacteria. By feeding this bacteria, they start to produce acid, this acid, will eventually eat away at your tooth. By brushing and flossing you remove this bacteria build up, called plaque. If you aren’t removing this build up, the bacteria keep destroying the tooth and eating away at it, until there is a hole. Known to most as a cavity, tooth decay, or dental caries. Since our body doesn’t naturally heal the cavity hole, dentists have found a way to keep the cavity from progressing. Dentists remove the bacteria from the hole and fill the hole with a hard filling. The most common forms of fillings are the composite