Terminology related to Carious lesions of Oral Cavity NOTES

Primary caries – first attack of caries on a tooth

Secondary caries or recurrent caries – the subsequent attack of caries on the restored tooth is secondary caries. This is usually seen at the junction of tooth and restoration.

Incipient caries or reversible caries  – an early carious lesion which in the initial stages, which can be reversed by the use of remineralizing agents.

Cavitated caries or irreversible caries – the carious lesion that has cavitated the enamel and progressed into dentin where restoration is definitely needed.

Pit and fissure caries – this type of caries involves the pit and fissure areas of the tooth. They are the most common sites for caries as they are potential sites for food entrapment.

Smooth surface caries – this caries involves the smooth areas of teeth ( eg. proximal surfaces of teeth, gingival one-third of the facial and lingual surfaces of teeth) that are covered by a plaque for a prolonged period of time.

Root surface caries or senile caries (as it is generally seen in elderly people)– this caries involves the exposed areas of root following the gingival recession. Root surface caries spread more rapidly and needs immediate treatment.

Acute caries – this caries is of rapid onset and spread. The carious lesion is light yellow in color, soft in texture and highly infectious.

Chronic caries – this caries is of slower onset and spread. The carious lesion is hard in consistency and dark brown to black in color.

Forward caries – if the carious cone in enamel is larger or same as that in dentinal caries zone, then it is referred to as forward caries.

Backward caries – when the spread of caries along the dentinoenamel junction exceeds caries in contiguous enamel, caries extends backward into this enamel from the junction, then it is backward caries.

Residual caries – caries that is left over in a completed tooth preparation either by operator’s neglect or intention is residual caries. Caries may be left intentionally when it is very close to the pulp while performing indirect pulp capping procedures.