Rampant Caries & Natal / Neonatal Teeth – Review Flashcards

Question-and-Answer flashcards covering definitions, etiology, clinical features, treatment, preventive strategies for Rampant Caries, and key facts about natal/neonatal teeth.

What is the basic definition of Rampant Caries?

A suddenly appearing, widespread, rapidly burrowing type of caries that quickly involves the pulp.

According to Massler, how is Rampant Caries further characterized?

Acute onset affecting many or all erupted teeth, rapidly destroying coronal tissue—even on surfaces normally immune—and leading to early pulpal involvement.

Give four common synonyms for Rampant Caries in infants.

Nursing-bottle syndrome, Nursing-bottle caries, Baby-bottle caries, Baby-bottle tooth decay.

Name the three elements of the aetiological triad of Rampant Caries.

Diet high in carbohydrates/low in protein, cariogenic bacteria (early colonization of S. mutans), and host factors such as enamel hypoplasia.

What sugar-consumption threshold was linked to rampant caries in Nigerian children?

More than three sugar intakes per day.

How is Rampant Caries classified by age?

Infants (Early Childhood Caries), young children, teenagers, and adults (rare).

Which age group shows the highest prevalence of Rampant Caries?

Pre-school children (approximately 4.8 % in Lagos study).

What clinical history do parents commonly report for children with Rampant Caries?

The teeth seemed to erupt already decayed.

What is an annular ring of decay?

A circular band of destruction around maxillary teeth, often leading to crown fracture.

Which teeth are usually affected first in Rampant Caries?

Maxillary anterior (upper incisors), especially the labial surfaces.

Why are lower anterior teeth often spared in Early Childhood Caries?

They are protected by the tongue and salivary flow during feeding.

State two conditions in the differential diagnosis of Rampant Caries.

Amelogenesis imperfecta and enamel hypoplasia.

How many carious lesions typically qualify a case as Rampant Caries?

More than 8–10 lesions.

Rampant Caries often develops on surfaces that are normally to decay.

Immune.

List two objectives of provisional restorations during initial treatment.

Stabilize caries to prevent pulpal exposure and reduce Streptococcus mutans counts.

Which pulp therapy is indicated for a vital primary tooth with pulpal symptoms?

Formocresol pulpotomy.

What bottle-feeding advice is given to reduce Rampant Caries risk in infants?

Gradually dilute bottle contents with water and decrease added sugar over 2–3 weeks until the habit stops.

Which tooth-brushing technique is recommended for children under 8 years?

Circular scrub technique (e.g., Fones).

Which brushing technique is advised after 11–12 years?

Sulcular brushing technique (e.g., Bass).

How often should professional topical fluoride be applied for caries prevention?

Every 6 months.

List two fluoride delivery methods recommended for 0-5 year-olds with Early Childhood Caries.

Age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste and fluoride tablets where water fluoridation is inadequate.

Name one plaque-control aid recommended for children in the mixed dentition stage.

Disclosing tablets (other acceptable answers: supervised brushing, floss, oral prophylaxis, fissure sealants).

Give two restorative options for anterior primary teeth with large cavities but no pulpal involvement.

Composite resin or glass-ionomer cement (strip crowns may also be used).

When is a band-and-loop space maintainer commonly indicated?

After extraction of a primary molar to preserve arch space.

What daily fluoride tablet dose is recommended for children aged 6 months–3 years in water areas < 0.3 ppm?

0.25 mg fluoride per day.

What fluoride tablet dose is advised for children 6 years and older in water 0.3–0.7 ppm?

0.50 mg fluoride per day.

By what age should a child first visit the dentist for screening and counseling?

Before 12 months of age.

What is the reported prevalence range for natal and neonatal teeth?

Approximately 1 : 2,000 to 1 : 300,000 live births.

Which teeth most commonly erupt prematurely in natal/neonatal cases?

Mandibular (lower) incisors.

Name the ulcerative complication on an infant’s tongue caused by natal teeth.

Riga-Fede syndrome.

List two other complications of natal/neonatal teeth besides Riga-Fede syndrome.

Risk of aspiration and trauma to mother’s nipple while breastfeeding (other acceptable answers: premature loss of primary teeth, association with cleft lip/palate).

What root characteristic is typical of natal/neonatal teeth at eruption?

They usually have little or no root development.

Describe the orientation of dentinal tubules in natal/neonatal teeth.

Straight in the incisal region and irregular in the cervical region.