On a radiograph, which calculus appearance corresponds to heavy calculus?

• A. Heavy calculus
• B. Light calculus
• C. No calculus visible
• D. Moderate calculus

Answer: (A)

On a radiograph, how calculus shows up depends on how mineralized it is. Mineralized deposits are radiopaque because their calcium phosphate content blocks more X-rays. The more mineralized the calculus, the denser and more conspicuous the radiopaque shadow.

Heavy calculus appears as a dense, well-defined radiopaque band along the tooth surfaces, often following the root near the gingival margin. It stands out clearly on the image.

Light calculus, by contrast, may be faint or not visible at all because it’s less mineralized. No calculus visible means there is little to none mineralized deposits detectable radiographically. Moderate calculus would be somewhere between, less dense than heavy but more than light.

So the radiographic appearance that corresponds to heavy calculus is a dense, prominent radiopaque area along the tooth surface.