About Dental Calculus
Dental calculus or tartar is an adherent calcified mass that forms on the surface of teeth and dental appliance through mineralization of bacterial dental plaque in aqueous environment. Dental calculus is layered by non-mineralized bacterial plaque; hence acts as reservoir of microorganisms in the oral cavity. Various studies carried out to reveal the presence of calculus have shown that calculus is present in 70-100% cases. These studies do not discriminate between supra and subgingival calculus but they indicate high prevalence of calculus in all studied populations.
Calculus consists of mineralized dental plaque that forms on the surface of natural teeth and dental prostheses. Dental calculus is formed through the process of calcification of dental plaque, with hydroxyapatite, whitlockite and octo-calcium phosphate commonly present in mature calculus. The rate of calculus formation varies from person to person and can be increased by such factors as elevated salivary pH, concentration of salivary calcium, urea, bacterial proteins or lipids.
Dental calculus is composed of inorganic components and organic matrix. Supragingival and subgingival calculus contain 37% and 58% mineral content by volume: respectively. The matrix of supragingival calculus constitutes 15.7% of the calculus dry weight and contains 54.9% protein and 10.2% lipid. Calculus is mineralized dental plaque and mineralization can only occur if the fluid phase of plaque is supersaturated with the components of calculus. Saliva and plaque fluid are normally supersaturated with respect to various calcium phosphates, except when fermentable carbohydrates are being consumed, and thus most people are susceptible to calculus deposition, albeit at different rates. Although much research has been carried out to determine possible mechanisms for formation and methods for inhibiting the process, no complete correlations exist. The formation, development, and dissolution of hard deposits such as calculus are complex processes that involve numerous calcium phosphate phases as well as the interaction of these ions with organic molecules.
Long term oral hygiene including prevention of new calculus formation is always a key target for maintaining optimal periodontal health. Professional bi-annually oral prophylaxis plays a vital role in reducing the oral bio burden by removing plaque, calculus and stains from the oral cavity. However, maintaining one’s home dental oral hygiene, especially between six-month professional oral prophylaxis is very critical. There was lot of research support for traditional alcohol based oral rinse in terms of plaque control but no significant data supporting its effectiveness on anti-calculus effects. Periogen with key ingredients of Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP) and Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP), is clinically proved to be a potent oral rinse for suppressing the new plaque formation, gingival inflammation and new calculus formation without any noticeable side effects. |
