Bacterial Growth and Crystal Formation: a Possible Factor in Calculus Formation

Abstract

The metabolic activity of oral actinomycetes in decomposing proteins resulted in increased alkalinity and ammonia liberation. The ammonia combined with Mg and phosphate components of the medium to produce crystals of ammonium magnesium phosphate. The in vitro formation of such crystals by oral actinomyces substantiates Naeslund''s theory of salivary calculus formation.