Calculus (Tartar)

Category: science

Hardened plaque mineralized by calcium and phosphate salts found in saliva.

Calculus is a porous, hardened material that cannot be removed by standard brushing or flossing. It acts as a permanent bacterial anchor along the gum line, shielding pathogens that cause chronic periodontal infection and eventual bone structural loss.

Common Examples

• Deep scaling instruments are required to chip away hardened dental calculus that has bonded to the enamel root surface.
• Left untreated, dental calculus buildup inevitably leads to the recession of gingival tissue and permanent tooth destabilization.