Morphology of Submarginal Calculus

Morphology and Elemental Composition of Subgingival Calculus in Two Ethnic Groups

“…Most teeth in the study exhibited the crusty, spiny, or nodular-type subgingival calculus as in the study by Everett and Potter. 9 Also consistent with the earlier study was a large proportion of ledge or ring formations. Little and Hazen 18 also regarded these deposits as subgingival, but perhaps they should be considered transitional between supra-and subgingival because they are exposed to the oral environment as well as to the periodontal pocket environment, which may account for the variable mineralization of the more coronal sub- gingival deposits observed in this study.…”

“…This greater accumulation of subgingival calculus according to some studies 11,13 would also intimate greater levels of periodontal disease associated with these teeth in Asian subjects, and more specifically among Indian ethnic groups. 10,20,21 It has been suggested that the calculus islands might represent nucleation sites in early calculus buildup, 9 and this is possibly the case in those seen in the present study. Little is understood about the influence that periodontal pathogens may have in the morphology of subgingival calculus.…”

“…In addition, different morphological types of subgingival calculus have been identified. 9 There is also growing evidence for racial differences in the formation of dental calculus, with some populations apparently suffering to a greater degree than others in respect to high levels of supragingival and subgingival calculus accretions and associated periodontal breakdown. [10][11][12][13][14][15] Why these differences occur is not clear, but it is possible that the nature of the calculus itself in terms of its composition and structure may have a significant role.…”