Dental calculus

Dental calculus is dental plaque hardened by mineral deposits from saliva or gingival fluid. It adheres to tooth surfaces and cannot be removed by ordinary brushing.

Dental plaque: A structured community of microorganisms embedded in a matrix that accumulates on tooth surfaces. Calculus forms when plaque on teeth absorbs minerals and hardens.
Scaling and root planing: A dental procedure that removes plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces above and below the gumline. Mechanical instrumentation is needed because ordinary brushing does not detach established calculus.
Supragingival calculus: Dental calculus deposited on tooth surfaces above the gingival margin. This visible form is commonly associated with minerals in saliva.
Dental stain: Discoloration on tooth surfaces caused by pigments or changes within tooth tissues. Stain changes tooth color, whereas calculus is a hard deposit attached to the surface.
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums, commonly caused by plaque accumulation at the gingival margin. Calculus can retain plaque near gum tissue and make effective cleaning harder.
Saliva: The fluid produced by salivary glands that moistens the mouth and contains minerals, proteins, and enzymes. Saliva supplies minerals that can precipitate within plaque, especially above the gumline.
Dental scaler: A hand or powered instrument designed to remove deposits from tooth surfaces. Scalers break calculus away from teeth during professional cleaning.
Calculus bridge: A thick, continuous deposit of dental calculus joining multiple teeth. It illustrates how unchecked mineralized plaque can become extensive and interconnected.
Dental caries: A disease process in which acids produced by bacteria demineralize tooth tissues. Caries damages tooth structure; calculus is mineralized plaque deposited on it.
Periodontitis: An inflammatory disease that damages the tooth-supporting tissues and can cause tooth loss. Subgingival calculus can sustain plaque retention in periodontal pockets.

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