Classification of third molar impaction is done to facilitate the communication between clinicians, for record keeping that may be used for audit research purposes.
A coaching institution for ADC examination, NEETMDS, ORE, and Govt. dental jobs exam.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Introduction to Third Molar Surgery: Part 3-Classification of Impaction
Introduction to Third Molar Surgery-Part 1
The third molars are the most common teeth that are found to be impacted. This article will provide and introduction to this topic. The difference between simple and surgical extraction along with the aetiologies and frequency of third molar impaction are explained in a simple way.
Introduction to Third Molar Surgery: Part-2 Indications and Contraindication
Mandibular Third Molars
According to George Dimitroulis, there are common and uncommon reasons for the removal of the mandibular third molar.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Iridium Course Schedule
A 20 Weeks Course for ADC Part 1 exam
Saturday, March 11, 2023
ADC Exam Coaching in India- Prelims & Practical explained
The Australian Dental Council conducts a series of assessment exams for accreditation of the scientific knowledge, technical and clinical skills and ability to make a clinical judgement in relation to patient care of an overseas dentist whose dental graduate degree is not recognised by the Dental Board of Australia.
Once an overseas dentist successfully clears the assessment process, he or she can register with DBA as a GP and can practice Dentistry in Australia.
Australian Dental Council assessment process is a three-stage process. The first is the initial assessment that I have already explained in the episode 1 of our video series. Now, in episode 2 of the video series, I shall explain written as well as practical exams. After going through this video, you will become familiar and confident with every aspect of the exams.
Monday, March 6, 2023
Oral Hygiene
Regular oral hygiene by mechanical brushing and cleaning between the teeth removes soft dental plaque. When dental plaque becomes mineralised (calculus), it must be removed by a dental practitioner. Dental plaque and calculus can cause periodontal disease (eg gingivitis) and dental caries.
Frequent exposure to dietary sugar and carbohydrates leads to an increase in the risk of dental caries. Avoid sucrose in sticky forms and limit other sugars (eg acidic drinks) and carbohydrates as snacks between meals.
Avoid drinks other than water at bedtime after brushing teeth (including milk, formula and expressed breastmilk)—saliva flow diminishes during sleep and the sugar from the drink remains on the teeth overnight. This is a common cause of dental caries in children and the elderly.
Interdental cleaning
Interdental cleaning using floss or interdental brushes is recommended once each day before brushing the teeth. Brushing teeth with a toothbrush does not remove plaque from between the teeth or below the gum line.
Dental floss can be used to wipe the interdental tooth surface to remove plaque (back and forth, then up and down several times on each tooth surface). Manual dental floss, floss-holding devices or automated flossing devices are available—the choice is based on personal preference or level of dexterity.
Interdental brushes areas effective as dental floss in plaque removal, and often more effective for debris removal. They require less dexterity than dental floss. Interdental brushes are particularly useful in patients with gum recession or disease, where the spaces between the teeth are larger.
Interdental wood sticks can remove food particles, but do not effectively remove plaque.
Water jets do not effectively remove plaque.
Tooth and tongue cleaning
Soft-bristle toothbrushes are recommended; hard-bristle toothbrushes are not more effective and can damage the gums and the softer root surface. Children younger than 6 years should use a children’s toothbrush. Powered toothbrushes with a rotation oscillation action are slightly more effective at plaque removal than manual brushes. Powered toothbrushes are useful for people with dexterity or disability problems, and for carers. Toothbrushes should be replaced once damaged or when the bristles become deformed.
Advise patients to use a fluoride-containing toothpaste; for recommended concentrations of fluoride in toothpaste. Toothpastes that do not contain fluoride provide little protection against dental caries. Toothpastes also contain other additives (eg abrasives, detergents, antibacterial, bleaches, remineralising agents).
Toothpastes that do not contain fluoride provide little protection against dental caries.
Advise patients to brush teeth for 2 minutes, twice each day with fluoride toothpaste. Toothpaste should be spat out and not swallowed to minimise fluoride ingestion; the mouth should not be rinsed to allow increased uptake of fluoride from the saliva.
Advise patients to brush or gently scrape the tongue, but not to brush or massage the gums.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash is usually not required as part of a standard oral hygiene routine, provided mechanical cleaning (toothbrushing, interdental cleaning) is performed properly. Mouthwash should not be used as substitute for proper mechanical teeth cleaning.
Fluoride-containing mouthwashes can be used as an additional source of fluoride for people at high risk of dental caries on the recommendation of a dentist.
Mouthwash that inhibits plaque formation (eg chlorhexidine) can be used for a short duration in addition to mechanical tooth cleaning, usually when pain associated with periodontal disease restricts mechanical cleaning (see Management of necrotising gingivitis and Gingivitis).
Alcohol-containing mouthwashes may be associated with oral cancer and are not recommended. See here for further information on mouthwashes.
Specialised oral hygiene
People with dental implants, bridges, crowns that are joined together, and orthodontic brackets should follow the oral hygiene advice from their dentist.
Denture hygiene
Dentures should be regularly cleaned twice a day to remove food particles and plaque. Advise patients to remove dentures from the mouth and clean them with warm water, mild soap and a toothbrush, denture brush or soft nail brush. Avoid cleaning dentures with hot water, toothpaste, kitchen detergents, laundry bleaches, methylated spirits, antiseptics or abrasives (unless instructed to by a dental practitioner). Patients should clean their gums and remaining teeth with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste.
Advise patients to place dentures in a dry environment overnight after cleaning them. Traditionally, it was recommended that dentures were kept in liquid overnight. However, allowing the cleaned denture to dry out at night is more effective for reducing yeast colonisation and plaque accumulation, compared with both denture cleansers and water. Although repeated cycles of hydration and dehydration can change the shape of the denture, these changes are small and not clinically significant.
Dentures should be cleaned then placed in a dry environment at night. If there is a build-up of hard deposits (tartar, calculus), dentures can be soaked overnight in a solution of white vinegar (diluted 1:4), then cleaned as usual. Advise patients to see their dentist for professional cleaning if hard deposits cannot be removed.
Denture-associated erythematous stomatitis is prevented by regular cleaning of the dentures and storing them in a dry environment overnight. Advise patients with denture-associated erythematous stomatitis to optimise denture hygiene—it can take 1 month for symptoms to improve; see Oral candidiasis and Candida-associated lesions for further information.
Ref: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited 2019 (www.tg.org.au)
Radiation Protection of Pregnant Women
Is there a safe level of radiation exposure for a patient during pregnancy?
Dose boundaries do not apply for radiation exposure of patients, since the decision to use radiation is reasonable depending upon the individual patient situation. When it has been decided that a medical procedure is justified, the procedure should be optimized. This means that the conditions should achieve the clinical purpose with the appropriate dose. Dose limits are determined only for the staff and not for patients.
Indications and Contraindications of a Dental Crown
Crown and
bridges are being served to dental patients routinely as its manufacturing has
become fast, readily available. It is a dependable option.
Although, the
crown & bridge is generally considered very safe and it is associated with
a low incidence of complications, there are some precautions that need to be
considered.
Indications of a Dental Crown
1. Cases where
the tooth has been damaged beyond repair: If the patient has a large cavity
that cannot be fixed with a filling, but the dentist determines that the
dentine and pulp are in good condition then he will recommend that a crown be
placed to save the tooth.
2. When large
fillings need replacing: Fillings need replacing every so often, your dentist
may recommend installing a crown instead of re-filling the tooth, the reasons
for this are the crown is a long term solution and it is esthetically more
pleasing.
3. Fractured
tooth: In the case that a tooth gets fractured due to a dental trauma or
progressive tooth decay, it is highly recommended that a procedure known as
post and core be performed. The post and core procedure simply put, is the
placement of an implant without extracting the root. In this procedure a small
rod is inserted into the root of the affected tooth, this rod will slightly
protrude and the core or crown will be attached to it. For this procedure, the
tooth in question will require a root canal before the post and core can be
done.
4. Enhanced
esthetics: For patients who have discolored or uneven teeth, or even for those
who have large fillings the use of crowns can greatly improve the esthetics of
their smile.
5. To cover
dental implants: When a patient has lost a tooth for any reason, and an implant
is required to maintain proper function, the implant will be covered by a
porcelain crown that has been made to match your existing teeth.
6. To affix
dental bridges or dentures: A dental bridge is a prosthetic used to replace
missing teeth, these bridges are permanently adjoined to either dental implants
or crowned teeth. The dental crowns are used to hold the prosthetic in place.
7. Dental
erosion: The tooth enamel can be dissolved by the acidity in foods; when the
enamel has been compromised, porcelain crowns are the ideal solution to prevent
the progression of tooth decay to the dentine and pulp. Other forms of erosion
include tooth abrasion which occurs from improper uses of toothbrushes, brushing
too hard, improper flossing or biting on hard foods. And it also includes
conditions where natural tooth to tooth friction happens, as in the case of
involuntary grinding known as bruxism.
Contraindications
As with any
medical procedure, it is possible that complications can arise. Among the
risk factors and contraindications of dental crown procedures, we can list the
following:
1. Illnesses
where the use of anesthesia is contraindicated: These may include severe heart
disease, recent strokes and allergic reactions to anesthesia.
2. The use of
crowns is not indicated in cases where the problem can be solved with a
filling.
3. There is a
risk that during the preparation phase, the tooth’s surface can become too thin
or be perforated by an instrument.
4. During the
preparation procedure, nerve damage can occur, if this should happen, it will
be necessary to perform a root canal.
5. Bite
misalignment, although in most cases dental crowns can correct TMJ
(temporomandibular joint), if the crown is incorrectly placed, it can
exacerbate the problem in some patients. Once the dental crown is in place,
your dentist should check the fit taking into account the surrounding teeth as
well as the whole bite.
6. Allergic
reactions to one or more of the materials. Dental crowns can be made from a
variety of materials, choosing the right material will minimize the chances of
an allergic reaction.
7. Infections,
if the dental crown is not properly sealed or if the damaged tissue was not
properly removed, the area might become infected.
Dental Amalgam: SAQs for Viva Voce
SAQ 1. A patient arrives at your office and expresses concern about mercury from dental amalgam causing her harm. What will you tell this patient to reassure her about the safety of amalgam?
ANSWER:
You will explain three facts of dental amalgam fillings:
(1) The mercury present in amalgam is not free. It is always tied up chemically in the dental amalgam matrix. It is never released into the body. The majority of bound mercury never leaves the dental amalgam mass.