L11: when prevention isn't enough

Question 1

what are the diagnostic methods of identifying caries?

Answer 1

• Vision (transillumination)
• Radiography (bitewings)

-FOTI (fibreoptic transillumination)

Question 2

what are the physical characteristics of enamel demineralization

Answer 2

‘white matt’

brown indicates an exogenous stain

Question 3

what are the physical characteristics of dentine demineralization

Answer 3

grey discoloration

Question 4

what are the physical characteristics of root caries

Answer 4

TRICK Q LOL

colour doesnt give a good indication of root caries bc its too deep

Question 5

what treatment would you give if a px’s teeth are clinically sounds?

Answer 5

• control diet

- fluoride toothpaste (in plaque control)

Question 6

what treatment would you give if a px’s tooth has a lesion (not grossly infected)?

Answer 6

Prevent further mineral loss Prevent cavitation Remineralise lesion

-Control diet
- Fluoride toothpaste (appropriate dose)
in plaque contol, potential topical fluoride

Question 7

what treatment would you give if a px’s tooth has a lesion (grossly infected)?

Answer 7

Prevent spread of infection

-Remove infected tissue & restore
-Control diet
-Fluoride toothpaste (appropriate dose)
in plaque contol, potential topical fluoride

Question 8

why do we restore teeth?

Answer 8

to eliminate plaque trap
seal area
eliminate pain and discomfort
improve appearance

(restorations do not cure/prevent caries)

Question 9

what are the properties of composites?

Answer 9

-aesthetics
-micro-mechanical bonding to acid-etched enamel
-Adhesion to dentine via bonding agents
-Weaker than amalgam
lightcurable

Question 10

how is composite bonded to enamel?

Answer 10

acid-etching enamel

producing micro-porosities to give micromechanical retention

Question 11

what is an undercut?

Answer 11

when the base of the cavity is larger than the opening

Question 12

what are the properties of glass ionomer?

Answer 12

-Tooth-coloured but inferior to composite
(recent hybrid resin has a close hardness to composite)
-Adhesive to dental tissues
-Releases Fluoride
-Weaker than composite
-truly adhesive to dentine (Forms a dynamic bond)
-does not need echanical retention
-a good replacement for dentine
-Ideal for restoring cervical abrasion cavities

Question 13

what are the properties of gold?

Answer 13

-malleable & ductile
strong (can protect weak cusps)
-mechanical retention from cavity features & cement

Question 14

what is a retentive cavity?

Answer 14

a cavity where tooth tissue can support the material