Calculus

What are the three modes of calculus attachment?

1. Attachment by means of an acquired pellicle 2. Attachment to minute irregularities in the tooth surface by mechanical locking into undercuts 3. Attachment by direct contact between calcified intercellular matrix and the tooth surface

what is calculus?

Dental calculus is mineralized dental biofilm that is filled with crystals of various calcium phosphates.

What does formation time mean and what is the average time for calculus to form?

Formation time- the average number of days required for the primary soft deposit to change to the mature mineralized stage. The average time is about 12 days.

Name and describe the two types of calculus.

Supragingival Calculus- on the clinical crown coronal to the margin of the gingiva. Subgingival Calculus- on the clinical apical to the margin of the gingiva and extending nearly to the clinical attachment on the root surface.

What are the three basic steps of calculus formation in order?

a. Mineralization, pellicle formation, biofilm maturation b. Biofilm maturation, pellicle formation, mineralization c. Pellicle formation, biofilm maturation, mineralization d. Pellicle formation, mineralization, biofilm maturation