Canadian Medical Guide > Diseases > Stomatognathic Diseases > Tooth Diseases > Tooth Demineralization > Dental Caries Terms and Definitions
Dental Caries
Medical Definition: | Localized destruction of the tooth surface initiated by decalcification of the enamel followed by enzymatic lysis of organic structures and leading to cavity formation. If left unchecked, the cavity may penetrate the enamel and dentin and reach the pulp. The three most prominent theories used to explain the etiology of the disase are that acids produced by bacteria lead to decalcification; that micro-organisms destroy the enamel protein; or that keratolytic micro-organisms produce chelates that lead to decalcification. |
Guide Notes: | /drug ther: consider also CARIOSTATIC AGENTS; /etiol: consider also CARIOGENIC AGENTS & DIET, CARIOGENIC; /epidemiol: consider also DMF INDEX; DF: DENT CARIES |
Also Called: | Dental White Spot |
Dental Fissures - Deep grooves or clefts in the surface of teeth equivalent to class 1 cavities in Black's classification of dental caries. | |
Root Caries - Dental caries involving the tooth root, cementum, or cervical area of the tooth. |
Dental Caries Medical Definitions and Terms
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