Transcript Seminar IV
Management of Caries
Caries Advancement
Enamel
• Covers Anatomical Crown
• Translucent
• Enamel Rods (perpendicular to DEJ and
tooth surface)
• Requires a base of Dentin to withstand
forces
• Hardest substance in the human body
• Incapable of repairing itself
Histology of Enamel
Enamel
Composed of very tightly packed hydroxyapatite crystallites
organized into long columnar rods (prisms).
Each rod starts at DEJ and extends as a wavy continuous column to
the surface of the crown. Unstained, 100x
Dentin
• Formed by Odontoblasts
• Darker than Enamel, less translucent
• Hydroxyapatite crystals and collagen
type I
Harder than bone, softer than enamel
• Dentinal tubules
Histology of Dentin
Dentinal Tubules Unstained, 400x
Dentinal tubules allow
fluid movement, ion transport
necessary for remineralization and apposition and perception
of pain
Chemistry
# ENAMEL – 96% Inorganic (Mineral
Hydroxyapatite)
2% Organic (Protein)
2% Water
# DENTIN 68% Inorganic (Mineral
Hydroxyapatite)
22% Organic (Collagen)
10% Water
Primary Dentin
• Type of Dentin formed before and shortly
after eruption
Secondary Dentin
• Continuation of Primary Dentin (forms at
slower rate as tooth ages and with
structural irregularities)
• Circumpulpal Dentin (laid down
incrementally every day)
• Tubules take different directional pattern
Reparative Dentin
• Formed in response to irritation (attrition,
abrasion, erosion, trauma, caries,
operative procedures, other irritants)
• Confined to localized irritated area of Pulp
Chamber
• Defense reaction to an area of injury
• Structurally and chemically different from
Primary and Secondary Dentin
Sclerotic Dentin
• Results from aging or mild irritation
• Tubular content is replaced by calcified
material
• Tubules are obliterated
• Intertubular Dentin is smooth
Dead Tracts
• Regions of empty Tubules
• Degeneration of Odontoblastic Processes
• Pulp is not stimulated to form replacement
Odontoblasts
The Pulp
• Pulp is the connective tissue situated within the
rigid encasement of mineralized dentin
• Functions of the Pulp
# Formative
# Repair
# Nutrition
# Sensory
# Protection/Defensive
Relationship Pulp - Dentin
• Permeability of dentin regulates the rate of
diffusion of irritants that initiate pulpal
inflammation
• Odontoblasts are arranged peripherally in
direct contact with dentin matrix
• This close relationship between the dentin
and pulp create a functional unit called the
PULPODENTINAL COMPLEX
Dentinal Tubules
• Extend through entire thickness of dentin
from DEJ to the pulp
• S-shaped in the crown, less S-shaped in
the root, almost straight in the cervical
aspect
• Inverted cone shape with smallest
dimensions at the DEJ and largest
dimensions at the pulp
Dentinal Tubules
• Number of tubules increases from DEJ to
pulp (15.000 vs 65.000/sq mm)
• Because both the density and diameter of
the tubules increase with dentin depth
from the DEJ, the permeability of dentin is
lowest at the DEJ and highest at the pulp
• Axial dentin is more permeable than
occlusal dentin
Enamel Caries
• Demineralization results in pores
enlargement # roughness + loss of shine
• Demineralization progresses # pores
increase in size
• Through large pores bacteria may invade
subsurface
Enamel Caries
ENAMEL CARIES
This shows enamel prisms which have been extensively
demineralized revealing the microanatomy of the prisms and the
interprismatic substance.
This represents initial surface breakdown of enamel and is the
next stage after the white spot lesion.
Enamel Caries – clinical
characteristics of „white spot” lesion
# loss of normal translucency of enamel with
a chalky white apperance, particularly
when dehydrated
# a fragile surface layer susceptible to
damage from probing particularly in pits
and fissures
# increased porosity particularly of the
subsurface, with increased potential for
uptake of stain
Enamel Caries – clinical
characteristics of white spot lesion
# reduced density of the subsurface that may be
detectable radiographically or with transillumination
# a potential for remineralization with an increased
resistance to further acid challenge
# the reversed lesion will either regain normal
translucency or the chalky appearance may remain
and take up stain
Microscopically, several zones have been
identified.
1. Translucent Zone
2. Dark Zone
3. Body of the Lesion
4. Surface Zone
Zones of Incipient Lesion
Zones of Incipient Lesion
# Translucent Zone
The deepest, structureless appearance
(quinoline + polarized light)
# Dark Zone
doesn’t transmit polarized light (pores
too small to absorb quinoline)
Zones of Incipient Lesion
# Body of the Lesion
- The largest portion, the largest pore volume
varying from 5% to 25% at the center
- Bacteria may be present
# Surface Zone
- Relatively unaffected (saliva, fluoride),
serves as a barrier to bacterial invasion
Dentinal Caries
# Caries produces a variety of responses in dentin: i) pain, ii)
demineralization, iii) remineralization, iv) apposition
# The level of dentinal reaction to caries can vary depending on
clinical advancement (slowly-, moderate-, rapidly advancing
lesions) and acid level.
# The dentin can react to low and moderate intensity caries
attacks as long as the pulp remains vital and has an adequate
blood circulation
Dentinal Caries
Caries advancement in dentin proceeds through
three changes:
# Demineralization by weak organic acids
# The organic material of the dentin, particularly
collagen, degenerates and dissolves
# The loss of structural integrity is followed by
invasion of bacteria
Dentinal Caries
"Dentinal sclerosis" and "reparative dentin" slow down
microbial invasion.
# In the earliest stages of exposure to the
microorganisms of dental caries, there is an effort to
seal off the tubules, increased calcification
# The result is a visible change known as „transparent
dentin” or, better, "dentinal sclerosis."
# In addition to this pulpal odontoblasts, stimulated by
the advancing carious lesion, will rapidly deposit
dentin.
Dentinal Caries
# The dentinal tubules in this new dentin are irregular,
an arrangement that makes it less permeable to
microorganisms.
# Histologists cannot seem to decide what to call this
newly-formed dentin; the terms "irregular dentin,"
"reparative dentin," "secondary dentin," and "tertiary
dentin" all have been used.
Dentinal Caries
# Dentinal sclerosis and reparative dentin may be
a successful deterrents if the carious lesion
progresses slowly.
# Usually, however, the dentinal tubules are
invaded and the occupant odontoblast is killed in
the process.
Dentinal Caries
Destruction of dentin exposes the pulp to bacterial
invasion.
# As microbial invasion progresses along the dentinal
tubules, acid production decalcifies surrounding dentin
causing a fusion of them.
# As decalcification continues, clefts appear; they are
oriented perpendicular to dentinal tubules and cross a
number of them.
Dentinal Caries
# These clefts are responsible for the flaking observed
by dentists as carious dentin is removed during cavity
preparation.
# At this point it is important to realize that carious
dentin is loaded with microorganisms and that when
the pulp chamber is finally reached, bacterial invasion
of the dental pulp will ensue
Dentinal Caries
Dentin Caries
Horizontal clefting is revealed here and this occurs at right angles
to the dentinal tubules.
The process of beading, coalescence, and clefting typifies the
mode of progression of dentinal caries.
Dentinal Caries
Zones of Dentinal Caries
Zone 1 Normal Dentin
# The deepest area
# Tubules with odontoblastic processes
# No bacteria or crystals found
Zones of Dentinal Caries
Zone 2 Subtransparent Dentin
• Demineralization of the intertubular
dentin
• Damage of the odontoblastic
processes
• Crystals in the tubule lumen
Affected dentin
• Remineralization is possible
-Softened
-Demineralized
-No bacteria
-Repair is possible
Zone 3 Transparent Dentin
• Carious dentin – softer
• Loss of mineral from the intertubular
dentin, many crystals in the lumen of
the dentinal tubules
• No bacteria, collagen remains intact
Zones of Dentinal Caries
Zone 4 Turbid Dentin
– Zone of bacterial invasion
– Widening and distortion of the dentinal t
– Dentinal tubules filled out with bacteria
– Collagen is irreversibly denatured
Zone 5 Infected Dentin
– Great numbers of bacteria filling the t
– Granular material in the intertubular spa
Infected dentin
-Softened
-Demineralized
-Contaminated w/bacteria
-Requires removal
Zones of Dentinal Caries
Sclerotic dentin (s.d.)
# Result of remineralization of transparent dentin
# In slowly advancing lesions
# Shiny, dark, hard (hypermineralized)
# Function – to wall off a lesion by sealing the tubules
# S.d. shows ideal final excavation depth (natural barrier that
blocks penetration of toxins and acids)
Pathology of Dentin
Dentin Caries
This is a zone of infected tubules.
Pathology of Dentin
Dentine Caries
In these frames, bacteria in the dentinal tubules
are demonstrated by special stains.