3.1 Dental Caries Disease Process
Dental caries is a multifactorial disease that results from the interaction between the bacterial biofilm (i.e., dental plaque), the environment (e.g., diet, saliva composition and flow rate, fluoride exposure), and the tooth structure. The disease process involves a shift in balance between protective factors that aid in tooth remineralization (i.e., gaining of minerals back into the tooth) and destructive factors that aid in tooth demineralization (i.e., loss of minerals from the tooth), resulting in demineralization over time. Understanding the dental caries disease process can help oral health professionals determine whether teeth are good candidates for dental sealant placement.
The caries disease process involves a shift in balance between protective factors that aid in tooth remineralization and destructive factors that aid in tooth demineralization.
Source: Reproduced, with permission, from Young DA, Buchanan PM, Lubman RG, Badway NN. 2007. New directions in interorganizational collaboration in dentistry: The CAMBRA Coalition model. Journal of Dental Education 71(5):595–600.
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