Dental Caries and Hard Tissue Pathologies Lecture Notes

Practice flashcards covering dental caries definitions, classifications, histopathology, diagnostic methods, hard tissue pathologies, and restorative considerations based on the lecture transcript.

Dental Caries

A dynamic microbial disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth, characterized by demineralization of the inorganic portion and destruction of the organic substance, leading to tooth destruction.

Caries Prevalence

The ratio of persons who have damaged teeth to the total number of examined persons, expressed as a percentage ($\%$).

DMF Index

Used to characterize caries incidence; stands for Decayed, Missing/extracted, and Filled/restored tooth ($DMFt$) or surface ($DMFs$).

Hereditary Pathologies

Pathologies that develop during tooth germ formation, including stages of hystogenesis, morfodiferensation, and mineralization.

Acquired Pathologies

Pathologies that develop after tooth eruption, such as caries, erosions, pathological tooth wear, abfraction, and tooth hypersensitivity.

Enamel Dissolution pH

The critical acidity level where enamel begins to dissolve, typically at a $pH$ of $4,5-5,5$.

Dentin Dissolution pH

The critical acidity level where dentin begins to dissolve, typically at a $pH$ of $6,5$.

Remineralization

A process in which calcium and phosphate ions are sourced to promote ion deposition into crystal voids in demineralized enamel.

Primary Dentin

Dentin formed in a tooth before the completion of the apical foramen of the root, characterized by a regular pattern of tubules.

Secondary Dentin

Dentin formed after the completion of the apical foramen that continues to form throughout the life of the tooth.

Odontoblast

A cell localized in the pulp chamber beneath the pulpal roof that takes part in dentin formation.

Hydrodynamic Theory

The theory that external stimuli act on exposed dentin to increase the rate of dentinal fluid flow, generating action potentials in nerves that pass to the brain to cause pain.

Caries incipiens

Enamel caries characterized by demineralization without a visible or palpable defect (white or brown spot).

Caries superficialis

Enamel caries characterized by a visible and palpable defect limited to the enamel structure.

Caries media

Caries localized in the mantle dentin, typically extending up to $1/2$ of the dentin thickness.

Caries profunda

Caries localized in the prepulpal or circumpulpal dentin, extending deeper than $1/2$ of the total dentin thickness.

Sclerotic Dentin

Dentin characterized by the total or partial obliteration of tubules due to mineral deposition, aiding in pulp protection.

Reparative Dentin

A layer of dentin formed in the pulp chamber in response to external irritation to protect the pulp.

Xerostomia

Total absence of saliva or dry mouth syndrome, which is a manifestation of other pathologies rather than a disorder itself.

Acellular Cementum

A thin layer of cementum without cells in its matrix, typically localized near the cervical part of the tooth.

Cellular Cementum

A layer of cementum containing cementocytes and their processes in lacunae, typically localized in the apical part.

Hypercementosis

An idiopathic, non-neoplastic condition characterized by the excessive buildup of normal cementum on tooth roots.

FOTI (Fiberoptic Transillumination)

A diagnostic method using a bright white light beam ($0.3-0.5\,mm$ diameter) to detect proximal carious lesions through reduced light transmission.

Tooth Hypersensitivity

Short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentine in response to external stimuli that cannot be ascribed to other dental defects.

Erosion

Irreversible loss of tooth structure due to chemical dissolution by acids not of bacterial origin.

Intrinsic Erosion

Erosion caused by acids from inside the body, commonly due to gastroesophageal reflux ($GER$) or chronic vomiting.

Attrition

Gradual and natural loss of tooth substance under tooth-to-tooth contact, often associated with bruxism or clenching.

Abrasion

Gradual loss of tooth substance caused by friction between teeth and other materials, such as hard toothbrushes or professional habits.

Abfraction

A wedge-shaped defect in the cervical region resulting from teeth flexing at the gum line due to heavy occlusal stress.

Bruxism

Excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching that typically occurs during sleep.

Adontia

A rare condition characterized by the total absence of tooth germs.

Oligodontia

A condition defined as missing six or more permanent teeth, excluding third molars.

Hutchinson's Teeth

A permanent incisor pathology associated with congenital syphilis, characterized by a screwdriver shape and narrower incisal edges.

Taurodontism

A developmental abnormality in multi-rooted teeth featuring an enlarged pulp chamber and a lack of constriction at the cementoenamel junction ($CEJ$).

Amelogenesis Imperfecta

A genetically determined pathology affecting enamel structure, characterized by thin or hypomineralized enamel with high resistance to caries in some subtypes.

Fluorosis

Hypomineralization of tooth enamel resulting from long-term intake of fluorides exceeding $0.05\,mg/kg$ daily during tooth formation.

Sandwich Technique

A restorative method using a combination of glass ionomer cement ($GIC$) to replace dentin and composite resin to replace enamel.

Hybrid Layer

The layer created by adhesive resin infiltration into demineralized enamel or dentin, forming a micromechanical connection.

Etchant

A material, typically $35-37\%$ phosphoric acid, used to demineralize enamel and dentin to create micropores for bonding.

Polymerization Shrinkage

The dimensional change of restorative materials during setting ($hybrid : 0.6-1.4\%$; $microfilled : 2-3\%$), which can lead to marginal leakage.