Dental Caries And Dental Materials Flashcards
Clinical examination
Occlusal surfaces may have dark stained grooves, pits, or fissures or may have an obvious cavitationsor holes.Interproximal caries may be difficult or impossible to detect clinically.Radiographs play an important role.
Clinical examination: smooth surfaces
Smooth surfaces may have a chalky white appearance this may indicate demineralization.
Radiographic examination
Decreased density from demineralization and destruction of the tooth structure allows greater penetration of x-rays in the carious area.The carious lesion appears radiolucent (dark or black)Bite-wing radiographs are the best choice for caries examination.Periapical radiographs using the paralleling technique can also be used.
Advanced interproximal caries
Extends to or through the DEJ and into the dentin but does not extend through the dentin more than half the distance toward the pulp.
Incipient interproximal caries
Extends less than halfway through the thickness of the enamel.
Moderate interproximal caries
Extends more than halfway through the thickness of enamel but does not involve the DEJ.
Severe interproximal caries
Extends through enamel, through the dentin, and more than half the distance toward the pulp.
Incipient occlusal caries
Cannot be seen on dental radiographs.
Moderate occlusal caries
Extends into the dentin and appears as a very thin radiolucent line in the radiographs.
Severe occlusal caries
Extends into the dentin and appears as a large radiolucency.
Classification of caries
Interproximal cariesOcclusal cariesBuccal and Lingual CariesRoot Surface CariesRecurrent CariesRampant Caries
Buccal and Lingual Caries
Buccaland lingual caries are best detected clinically because of the superimposition of the density of the normal tooth structures in a radiograph.
I clicker QuestionIs this on the buccal or the lingual of #31?A. Buccal B. Lingual C. Both D. Cannot tell
D. Cannot tell
Root Surface Caries
Involves only the root surface of the teeth and is located just below the cervical region of the tooth. The cementum and dentin are affected.
Recurrent caries
Occurs adjacent to an existing restoration. May be due to inadequate cavity preparation, defective margins, or incomplete removal of caries prior to placement of restoration.
Rampant caries
Advanced and severe caries that affect numerous teeth.Can be seen in children with poor dietary habits or adults with decreased salivary flow.
Cervical Burnout
The tissue at the CEJ is less dense than the regions above and below it. Above the CEJ, enamel covers the crown, and below the CEJ, bone covers the root
Abrasion
abrasion appears as a well-defined horizontal radiolucency along the cervical region of a tooth.â¢Clinically, the areas affected by abrasion appear as hard, highly polished defects in dentin and should not be confused with root caries that appears brown and leathery
Identification of restorations
Metallic RestorationsAmalgam, gold, stainless steel, chromeAbsorbs x-raysAppear radiopaqueNonmetallic RestorationsPorcelain, composite, acrylicLess dense than metallic restorations.Appear radiolucent to slight radiopaque
Amalgam overhang
Extension of the amalgam beyond the crown portion of the tooth in the interproximal regionMay trap food, plaque, and contribute to bone loss.
Amalgam fragment
Amalgam fragments may become embedded in adjacent soft tissue during the restorationprocess.Clinically may appear as bluish pigmentation (amalgam tattoo)
Gold restorations
May not always be able to differentiate one metallic restoration from another.
Stainless steel and chrome crowns
Prefabricated restorations that are usually temporary.Often not contoured properly.
Post and core restorations
Can be seen in endodonticallytreated teeth.
CEREC
Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CEramic REConstruction
Composite
May vary from radiolucent to radiopaque depending on the composition of the material used.
Metallic pins
Used to enhance the retention of amalgam or composite restorations.
Endodontic materials
GuttaperchaClaylike material used to fill the pulp canals.Silver pointsUsed to fill pulp canals. Appear very radiopaque.
Prosthodontic materials
Patients should be instructed to remove complete and partial dentures prior to taking dental radiographs.Diatorics-Retention pins placed in the anterior teeth of a denture.
Orthodontic materials
Orthodontic bandsBracketsWires
Oral surgery materials
EndostealimplantsSuture wires, metallic splints and plates, bone screws
Misc. objects
Ghost imageA radiodense object that can be seen on a panoramic film such as, jewelry and metal.JewelryGlassesNapkin chainLead apron