Theory II

bacteria in dental biofilm capable of metabolizing fermentable carbohydrates into acids

a substance that by its presence in solution is capable of neutralizing alkali or acid

procedure to predict future dental caries development before the clinical onset of the disease

science and study of dental caries

process in the formation of cavities; final stage in the caries process

a hole; the final stage of demineralization and breakdown of tooth structure.

major stage in the dental caries process in which minerals, primarily calcium and phosphorous, are dissolved from tooth structure by acids formed by acidogenic bacteria, primarily Mutans streptococci and lacto bacilli

infectious disease of teeth caused by acidogenic bacteria with dissolution of enamel and dentin (coronal caries) and cementum and dentin (root caries)

after remineralization, the caries process is halted; the area usually becomes discolored with a brownish tinge, darker with age and in a tobacco user

rapidly progressive caries occuring in many teeth simultaneously; also called acute caries in contrast to chronic caries (slow developing)

carious lesions at the margin of an existing restoration; also called recurrent caries

healing process in which minerals are redeposited in the demineralized tooth structure; accomplished by the protective factors of the saliva and the action of fluoride to inhibit demineralization and interfere with the enzymatic requirements of bacteria