Dental calculus: recent insights into occurrence, formation, prevention, removal and oral health effects of supragingival and subgingival deposits.

Abstract in brief

• Dental calculus, which includes both supragingival and subgingival types, is a common condition worldwide, primarily made up of mineralized plaque containing calcium phosphate salts.
• Factors such as oral hygiene, access to dental care, diet, age, ethnicity, systemic health, and medications influence the formation and location of calculus, with better hygiene practices limiting excessive buildup.
• While supragingival calculus generally has minimal impact when well-managed, extensive subgingival calculus in populations with poor oral hygiene can contribute to periodontal disease, although its exact role remains not fully understood due to challenges in distinguishing its effects from plaque.]