Dental Calculus – An Evergrowing Heap of Periodontal Pathogens

Abstract

Dental calculus is defined as an adherent, calcified, or calcifying mass that forms on the surface of teeth and dental appliances. Calculus plays a key role in maintaining and accentuating periodontal disease by withholding the plaque in close contact with the tooth surface and gingival tissue, leading to various pathological changes, thereby creating areas where plaque removal is impossible. The distribution of calculus is very versatile and it differs from individual to individual, from tooth to tooth, and from surface to surface. At certain period of time, the maximum level of calculus formation occurs after which a reversal phenomenon takes place, in reversal phenomenon is the decline from maximal calculus accumulation. This case report describes a case of patient with extensive calculus deposits.

Keywords

• dental calculus
• oral hygiene
• periodontal disease
• reversal phenomenon