Dental Treatment Considerations for Patients with Medical Conditions
Risk Assessment and Treatment Modification in Dentistry
Risk Assessment
Risk assessment involves evaluating at least four components:
- Nature, severity, and stability of the patient’s medical condition
- Functional capacity of the patient
- Emotional status of the patient
- Type and magnitude of the treatment plan and procedures (invasive or not)
Treatment Modification
Preoperative
- Prophylactic antibiotics prior to certain dental procedures in patients at risk for bacterial endocarditis.
- Ensure food intake before
Understanding Periodontal Pockets: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Periodontal Pocket
A periodontal pocket is a pathologically deepened gingival sulcus.
Suprabony Pocket
- Base of pocket is coronal to the crest of the bone (horizontal bone loss).
- Interproximally, transseptal fibers are arranged horizontally.
- Periodontal ligament (PDL) fibers are arranged in their normal pattern.
Infrabony Pocket
- Apical to the crest of the bone (vertical/angular bone loss).
- Interproximally, transseptal fibers are arranged obliquely (angular pattern).
Classification
- Number of Sites: Simple,
A Comprehensive Guide to Human Tissues: Bone, Cartilage, Blood, and Skin
Bone, Cartilage, and Blood
Bone
A bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the vertebrate skeleton. Bones have several vital functions:
- Support and protect various organs
- Produce red and white blood cells
- Store minerals
- Provide structure and support for the body
- Enable mobility
Cartilage
Cartilage is a firm, whitish, flexible connective tissue found in various forms in the:
- Larynx and respiratory tract
- Structures such as the external ear
- Articulating surfaces of joints
Blood
Blood is the red liquid that
Read MoreThe Nervous System: Structure, Function, and Development
1. Evolution of the Nervous System
The first single-celled animals, or protozoa, were primitive and exhibited irritability. When evolution led to the emergence of multicellular organisms, or metazoans, specialized cells appeared for intercellular communication. These cells were responsible for the organisms’ irritability. The main function of this early nervous system was the perception of stimuli and the generation of simple responses. As the nervous system evolved, a more sophisticated communication
Read MoreA Comprehensive Guide to Dental Radiography Techniques and Principles
Radiology
Radiology is the study and use of radiant energy, including roentgen rays, radium, and radioactive isotopes, as applied to medicine and dentistry.
Roentgenology
Roentgenology is the study and use of roentgen rays (x-rays) as applied to medicine and dentistry.
Radiation Physics
Ionization
Ionization is the process by which a neutral atom or molecule acquires either a positive (+) or negative (-) charge, converting an atom into an ion.
Main Groups of Radiation
Corpuscular/Particulate Radiation
This
Read MoreUnderstanding Tooth Loss: Causes, Consequences, and Prosthetic Solutions
Reasons for Loss of Teeth
- Removal due to dental disease
- Periodontal Disease
- Tooth Decay
- Other
- Developmental Defects
- Genetic Defects
- Trauma
Consequences of Tooth Loss
Loss of Aesthetics
- Changes in morphological face height due to loss of vertical dimension of occlusion.
- Lack of support for the lips and cheek from the teeth.
- Loss of anterior teeth.
Loss of Function
- Unilateral or bilateral loss of posteriors.
- Reduced chewing table.
- Uncomfortable feel of food wedging between the space.
Phonetics
- Related to loss of anterior