TITLE:
A Case of Giant Dental Calculus
AUTHORS:
Toshiyuki Inou, Keiichi Uchida, Tatsuo Takaya, Hiroyuki Kitamura, Yu Chi Hung, Emi Oki, Nina Wakimoto, Toshiaki Ara, Hiroshi Mori, Nanae Dewake, Nobuo Yoshinari
KEYWORDS:
Giant Dental Calculus, Infrared Absorption Spectrometry, Carbonate Apatite, Oral Care
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Stomatology,
Vol.15 No.7,
July
7,
2025
ABSTRACT: This report aimed to present a case of giant dental calculus. A 53-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of a swelling sensation in the right cheek. His general examination revealed a moderate physical and nutritional status. He had a history of myocardial infarction as a systemic disease. The remaining teeth showed caries and periodontal disease, with severe dental calculus deposition and redness and swelling of the gingiva. All teeth exhibited a high degree of dental plaque and calculus, especially those in the mandibular right canine to left molar area, covering the floor of the mouth from the buccolingual to the lingual side. The hard tissue was removed and analyzed by infrared absorption spectrometry. The results showed phosphate groups, carbonate groups, and protein-derived absorption bands, which led to the diagnosis of carbonate apatite. A diagnosis of dental calculus was made based on intraoral findings, panoramic radiographs, and component analysis. It was determined that the remaining teeth could not be preserved because significant alveolar bone resorption and caries were observed. Therefore, they were extracted, and prosthetic treatment was initiated. The precise cause of the giant dental calculus remains unknown.