Managing Caries In Primary Dentition

Question 0

What materials would you use for a permanent restoration?

Answer 0

If rubber dam used then composite

No rubber dam possible then RMGIC (Fuji II) or compomer

Question 1

What material would you use for a temporary restoration?

Answer 1

Conventional GIC

Fuji VII triage

Question 2

What is the best and most user friendly restoration in primary dentition?

Answer 2

Stainless steel crown

Question 3

What are some of the benefits of restoring primary teeth rather than extracting them?

Answer 3

Eliminate disease, restore health, prevent pain, avoid infection, preserve space, maintain function, promote a positive attitude towards oral health

Question 4

What factors make restoring primary teeth more challenging?

Answer 4

Child’s ability to concentrate, cooperate and understand
Child’s fear or the parents fears

Harder to access their mouth
Difficult to achieve moisture control
Difference in dental anatomy
They have a transient dentition

Question 5

How are primary teeth anatomically different from permanent teeth and why is it significant?

Answer 5

Narrow occlusal table so the buccal lingual aspect of cavity needs to be reduced
Broad flat interproximal areas so difficult to diagnose caries
Thinner layers of enamel and denting so caries progress to the pulp much more quickly

Question 6

What are the stages of treatment planning in primary dentition?

Answer 6

Full history and examination
Deal with any pain
Plan prevention methods
Manage existing caries - depends on child’s ability to cope, family support, number/size of lesions, time til exfoliation