Description

Dental caries is an irreversible microbial disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth, characterized by demineralization of the inorganic portion and destruction of the organic matrix of the tooth which often leads to cavitation. Dental caries because of its uniqueness as a disease remains as one of man's most common, oldest and singly costliest ailment. There are practically no geographic areas in the world whose inhabitants do not exhibit some evidence of dental caries. The earliest detectable stage is the appearance of a white spot on the tooth. Caries is slowly progressing microbial disease which, if not intercepted and terminated at the right point in time, may lead to conditions like acute and chronic pulpitis, granuloma, abscess and eventually cyst around the apex of offending tooth leading to cellulitis.