Calculus bridge Images, Symptoms, Causes, Removal

To understand Calculus Bridge, we should have a clear concept of calculus. When a hard mass called plaque is deposited on teeth it is known as calculus or tartar. It is yellowish or white in color. When this plaque covers all teeth in a line and fill all space between teeth it is then called as Calculus Bridge.

Calculus is formed due to precipitation of minerals, which takes place in the presence of saliva and gingival crevicular fluid. This reaction of precipitation occurs within plaque. Due to precipitation, bacterial cells get killed and then hard surface of teeth provide a best place for further plaque formation. As a result calculus is built up on teeth.

Calculus Bridge either form on base line of teeth row i.e. along the gum line (supragingival) or in the center line on sulcus which lies between teeth and gingiva i.e. sub gingival. Sub gingival means “below the gum” and supra gingival means “above the gum”. Calculus is composed of both organic and inorganic components. Minerals are inorganic and cellular While extracellular are organic. There are 40 to 60 % minerals involved. Other components involved are:

• Hydroxyapatite
• Whitlockite
• Octacalcium phosphate
• Brushite.

Calculus bridge Images

Calculus bridge Symptoms

     
Calculus Bridge is a visible dental condition having clear signs and symptoms. Some main symptoms are as follows:

• A hard mass deposit on teeth.
• It most commonly occur on lower jaw line.
• It is yellowish or white in color.
• Bad breath is common
• Gums start receding.
• Gingiva get chronically inflamed.
• It is not easy to remove calculus plaque once it is formed.
• Tooth start decaying
• Sometimes calculus or tartar start penetrating deep inside teeth and as a result teeth start falling.

All these signs and symptoms are associated with calculus or tartar formation on teeth. Patient or dentist can easily diagnose it.

Calculus bridge Causes

Calculus Bridge is a hard dental plaque which is formed by precipitation of minerals present in plaque. When saliva and gingival crevicular fluid get in touch with plaque, precipitation of inorganic minerals take place. As a result surface of teeth become hard and rough. This hard surface is suitable for formation of further plaque. When precipitation occurs, bacteria cells present inside plaque also get killed which helps in the formation of hard dental plaque known as calculus or tartar. This calculus start arranging itself on full jaw line forming a bridge.

Calculus bridge Treatment

Plaque can be removed easily via regular brushing and flossing. But when it get hard and do not easily removed via brushing then two main methods are used to remove calculus formation i.e. ultrasonic removal and via hand tools. Vibrations of high frequency are used in ultrasonic method of calculus removal. Emitting vibrations have high frequency. After ultrasonic removal of calculus, hand tools are used to scrap off remaining calculus deposits. As a result, tooth texture become soft. At the end a fluoride treatment or a polish is done to refresh mouth, make it clean and smooth.