DENTAL CHECK-UP
A dental check up involves addressing the patient’s chief complaint, concerns and expectations that should be of value by the dental practitioner. The clinician evaluates any possible predisposing conditions that may affect the prognosis, progression and management of the oral health condition through careful review of the dental and medical history of the patient. Furthermore, an extra-oral and intra-oral examination is performed to determine any existing conditions and thereby a treatment plan is established for the patient once all diagnostic testing have been completed if need be. There are no common risks associated with a dental check-up.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
X-rays:
X-rays are an essential part of dental care treatment planning. It is considered a diagnostic measure but act also as preventive by allowing the clinician to diagnose any potential issues in the patient’s mouth before it becomes a major problem. X-rays are divided into two categories, intraoral and extra oral. Intra-oral is an x-ray film located inside the mouth and extra oral is taken outside of the mouth. At AMDS, intra oral x-rays are only provided allowing us to find cavities, check bone health surrounding the teeth, overlook developing teeth and further monitor good teeth health through prevention. X-rays provided do involve radiation, although the exposed levels are so low it is considered safe to use with caution and only when necessary.
PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT
Prophylaxis (soft clean):
Prophylaxis treatment is indicated for patients that have a healthy periodontium (supporting structures of the tooth). It is basically polishing the teeth by removing the soft plaque and stains on the teeth. This prevents gum inflammation (gingivitis)(reversible). Therefore this procedure is recommended every 6 months with the dental check up. Given that, there are no common risks related with a prophylaxis
Scale (more thorough clean):
Scale is the treatment that is conducted when the soft plaque is left on the tooth surface for a period of time due to not being efficiently cleaned with the toothbrush at home. Overtime this leads the soft plaque to become hard due to the minerals in the saliva. The hard plaque now is called ‘dental calculus’ and now a dental practitioner using special instruments can only remove it. If left untreated, gum inflammation can present and can lead to the potential loss of gum tissue and the supporting structures surrounding the tooth, leading to the loss of tooth/teeth over a period of time. During such treatment, the dental clinician will effectively remove the dental calculus and the bacteria accumulating beneath the gum line, in the aim for the gums to be restored back to its healthy state. The potential risks associated with scaling, but are not limited to include; if your gums are inflamed they can bleed during the procedure. In some cases, you may notice that your teeth are sensitive to temperature (hot and/or cold) after debridement. This occurs when the roots of the teeth are exposed following the removal of plaque and tartar. Infection is possible after dental scaling, but it is very rare.
Professional Fluoride Application:
Professional fluoride treatment generally takes a short period of time. The fluoride can be a solution, gel, foam or varnish and is typically applied with a cotton roll or brush. After the treatment is provided, the dental clinician will ask the patient to most likely not to eat nor drink for 30 minutes. This is highlighted to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride present and repair any possible microscopic carious lesions (tooth decay) present. There are no common risks with professional fluoride application, however, it is very rare for a patient to have a allergic reaction to fluoride or experience any skin irritation.
Fissure Sealants:
A fissure sealant is a material placed in the pits and fissures of the teeth (mainly the molars ‘back teeth’) in order to prevent or arrest the development of caries. Extensive research indicates that sealants are effective and reliable by keeping food and bacteria out of pits, grooves and fissures on the teeth. Overall, sealants are a simple and effective means to reduce tooth decay. There are no common risks or complications associated with fissure sealants, although they may need replacement over time.
RESTORATIVE TREATMENT
Dental Filling:
Tooth decay also known, as dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of people worldwide, even through it is largely preventable. It is developed through the interrelationships among the tooth surface, dietary carbohydrates, and specific oral bacteria (dental plaque) attached to the tooth surface. The bacteria lead to produce acid, which thereby destroys the tooth’s enamel (first layer of the tooth) and if not controlled, destruction will continue to the layer beneath, the dentin. In the early stages, tooth decay can be stopped and even possibly revered through the application of fluorides and other preventive methods. However, once caries passes through the tooth enamel and into the dentin, caries will be irreversible and then only the dental practitioner will suggest repairing the tooth by placing a filling which is special materials and medicaments placed to restore the tooth back to its original structure.
Stainless Steel Crown:
A stainless steel crown restores the form and function of a tooth. If a deciduous (baby) tooth has too much dental decay and needs something cohesive to hold the tooth together, then a stainless steel crown should be placed. A stainless steel crown is very durable restoration. Stainless steel crowns are commonly used on deciduous (baby) teeth, or permanent (adult) teeth that aren’t fully erupted and ready for permanent adult crown. If the tooth has had a nerve treatment (pulpotomy), a stainless steel crown is often placed afterward. Teeth, which have had nerve treatment, tend to become brittle and more likely to break if a large filling only is placed. The procedure may involve minimal to no drilling, and may or may not involve the application of local anaesthetic. The method involves placing orthodontic separators through both distant contacts and fitting the crown to be directly cemented (glued) on the tooth allowing for a couple minutes of setting time. Another method is minimally prepping the tooth edges and non-invasively removing the soft caries before cementing the stainless steel crown.
I N S T A G R A M @advancedmobiledental
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