Contrary to popular belief, the incidence and prevalence of dental decay is not on the decline. The aging population and lack of access to care are driving an increase in caries among the broad population.
Management of the caries-prone patient requires a multifaceted approach in office care, patient education, and at-home regimens. Proper risk assessment and evaluation is critical in developing the appropriate treatment program to both treat existing decay and prevent new decay. This program will provide the participant an overview of caries development, the incidence and prevalence of dental decay in various populations, risk assessment for caries, and the role of fluoride therapy in the management of patients who are at risk for caries development. Both in-office and at-home applications will be presented and explored.
Learning Objectives
Understand the caries development process, implement a risk assessment process and establish appropriate intervention strategies
Understand and implement an effective in-office treatment protocol, based on appropriate patient risk for caries development
Understand and implement an effective at-home treatment protocol based on appropriate patient risk for caries development
Russ Webb
10 January 2011, 01:09 PM (EST)
Hi Dr. Panagakos,
Quick question: Does partial caries removal reduce the risk of pulp exposure?
Thanks!
Dr. Fotinos S. Panagakos DMD, PhD
10 January 2011, 02:02 PM (EST)
Great question and one that is still under discussion. Partial removal of caries followed by restoration placement is advocated by some researchers/clinicians. Leaving some dentin, albeit carious, behind will reduce the risk for pulp exposure during caries removal. However, the question then becomes if leaving the caries behind results in a pulpitis later. Kind of the rock and a hard place analogy applies here. In school, I learned that if the dentin was firm although carious in appearance, to leave a layer and apply a calcium based liner to promote remin, followed by a base and the restoration. I am not sure if this is still what is taught in school. I hope this helps and thanks again for your question.
Russ Webb
11 January 2011, 09:29 AM (EST)
Very helpful! Thanks for the explanation.
Dr. Webb
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
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