Background: Calculus accumulation varies widely between individuals. Dental calculus has been associated with the principal periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze individual characteristics, and salivary and microbiological parameters among patients considered to be rapid calculus formers and patients who form calculus slowly.
Methods: Individual characteristics were recorded in a sample of 74 patients (age, sex, smoking, periodontal diagnosis, and dental crowding), as well as salivary parameters (unstimulated saliva flow, pH, and biochemical analysis of saliva) and microbiological parameters (by means of semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis).
Results: A statistically significant association (p = 0.002) was found between the rate of calculus formation and the diagnosis of periodontal disease. A greater presence of dental crowding was observed among the group of rapid calculus formers. Urea and phosphorus levels were higher among rapid calculus formers. Regarding microbiological parameters, differences were found in Streptococcus mutans, this being higher in the group of slow formers.
Conclusions: Rapid calculus formation appears to be linked to patients diagnosed with more severe periodontal diseases. Rapid calculus-forming patients present more dental crowding and a lower proportion of S. mutans.
Keywords: dental calculus; heavy calculus formers; oral bacteria.