Abstract
The pits and fissures of the tooth’s occlusal surface are the most vulnerable region of the tooth, accounting for over 80 percent of caries while making up only 13 percent of the overall tooth surface. However, it has also been shown that bacterial contents of the fissures may progressively mineralize. To determine by an in vitro study if an inverse relationship exists between calculus and caries within the pits and fissures of the teeth. One molar tooth was selected and sectioned through the buccal-lingual plane using a SCIFAB Series 1000 Deluxe Hard Tissue Microtome (Scientific Fabrications, Littleton, CO, USA). Photomicrographs were taken with an Olympus DP71, 12.5 megapixel cooled CCD camera mounted to a stereomicroscope (Leica S8APO). Scanning electron microscopy (EMITECH SC7620 Mini Sputter Coater and Hitachi TM3000 Tabletop Microscope) was used to assess the presence of calculus in the fissure. Varying amounts of calculus and caries were found in the fissure system. There appeared to be a possible inverse relationship between the amount of calculus and the presence of caries. Calculus can be found in carious fissures and may indicate an inverse relationship to active caries. However, without serial examinations over time it is not possible to determine the relationship between caries activity and fissure calculus. Further work is needed.