Paediatrics Clinical Sessions Flashcards
what questions would you ask when taking a pain history from a child?
- where is the pain
- what does it feel like
- how long has it been sore
- does it keep you awake
- does anything make it worse or better
- how did the pain start
- are you taking any medicines for the pain
what is the sequence of prevention in primary dentition
- prevention is key
- fissure sealant
- preventative restorations
- simple fillings (think no LA/dental dam)
- fillings requiring LA but not into the pulp (in co operative children)
- pulpotomy/pulpectomy (in the upper arch 1st)
when is LA not required for restorative in paediatrics
when there are minimal caries which can be removed by hand excavation or slow speed burs
what is LA required for paediatrics
when doing any cavity prep which it extensive and cannot be hand excavated
what are some of the positives and negatives of using rubber dam in children?
positives
- there is a high risk of pulp exposure in primary dentition therefore the dam provides protection from infection
- the dam can provide more moisture control which will increase the longevity of restorations and prevent the need for more work to be done in the future
- a split dam technique can be used to aid comfort
negatives
- some children will not be able to tolerate the dam
- the dam can be painful and uncomfortable which may leave the child with a negative image of the dentist
what restorative materials are used in paediatric dentistry
- fissure sealants (bis-GMA resins and GIC)
- temp and permanent dressings e.g. ZOE
- GIC
- RMIGC
- compomer
- composite
- preformed metal crowns
REMEMBER amalgam is not used in under 15s since 2018
what factors may influence your decision making (e.g. what material, dam?, LA?) when restoring a primary molar
- the extent of the caries
- the cooperation of the child
- the longevity of the tooth itself
- the ability to retain moisture control
- the time the child is willing to sit for
what is the order of longevity of restorations in primary teeth?
- preformed metal crowns last longest
- compomer and amalgam last about 3 years (but amalgam not used anymore)
- composite
- RMIGC
- GIC
what instruments are required for placing a stainless steel crown?
- tapered diamond separating bur
- preformed metal crown
- GIC luting cement
- crimping pliers to adapt the crown to the tooth
- curved crown scissors
how would you select a crown for a primary tooth
trial and error, measuring the MD distance or using an impression (however, this takes away the advantage of this being a fast process)
how would you prep a primary tooth for a stainless steel crown
- begin by breaking the contact point
- using side to side sweeping and deliberate motions, go toward the gingival margin
- reduce the level of the occlusal surface by 1-2mm, following the contour of the cusps
- smooth very lightly over any rough edges buccally/palatally/lingually
- overall you are aiming for a rectangle shape with a slight slope on the mesial and buccal aspect
what are some of the common problems for stainless steel crowns
- canting (uneven occlusal reduction so the crown leans to one side)
- rocking (if the maximum bulbosity lies more than 1mm of the cervical margin)
- loss of space (if the carious lesion is extensive the prep may be square)
what are the 2 methods of placing a crown in primary teeth
- conventional stainless steel crown
2. the hall technique
describe the Hall technique
- minimally invasive crown placement
- does not usually require any tooth prep or LA
- can use separators to make more room for the crown
- there is enough tooth tissue left to retain the crown
ideally, how should a preformed crown fit at the gingival margin
it should be subgingival or at least below the margin
how are separators placed
- loop 2 lengths of dental floss through the separator
- floss between the teeth
- the separator should encircle the contact point
- the separator should be removed after 3-5 days to prevent it being painful, stripping the gum or going subgingivally
describe the stages of the hall technique
- have the patient sitting upright incase the crown was to slip
- dry the crown after fitting it
- gill the crown with GIC luting cement and ensure the inside is evenly coated with no air bubbles
- dry the tooth if possible
- partially seat the crown until the contact points are engaged
- ask the patient to bite down for 2-3 minutes to seat the crown in the occlusion, alternatively press using your finger
what may concern the patient after the hall technique is done and how can you reassure them
patient may be concerned that the gingiva is blanched, ensure them that this is good and shows the crown is a good fit and it will dissipate in 24hours
the patient may be concerned that their occlusion feels high, but reassure them this is because the tooth was not reduced and that the occlusion will balance out over the coming weeks
what can cause minor failure of the hall technique
- new or secondary caries
- crown is worn or lost
- the crown has been lost but the tooth can be restored
- there is reversible pulpitis only requiring a pulpotomy
what can cause major failure of the hall technique
- irreversible pulpitis requiring pulpectomy
- abscesses requiring draining/pulpectomy/extraction
- interradicular radiolucency
- the crown is lost but the tooth cannot be restored
what may you use if a patient has had their E’s extracted but their premolars have yet to erupt
a space maintainer
what are the disadvantages of unplanned extraction of primary teeth
- loss of space which increases the risk of malocclusion
- loss of masticatory function
- speech defects
- psychological disturbance
- trauma from LA or surgery
what are indications for pulp treatment in children
- the child is cooperative
- the medial history preludes extraction (e.g. there is a bleeding risk)
- there is a necessity to preserve the tooth as a space maintainer
- the child is under the age of 9 as they still have a long time to go with their primary teeth
what are contra-indications for pulp treatment in primary teeth
- poor cooperation in the child
- poor dental attendance
- cardiac defects (risk of IE)
- multiple cross carious lesions (likelihood of failure)
- advanced root resorption
- severe or recurrent pain or infection
what are the success rates of vital teeth restored with pulp caps
very low
what is the success rate of a vital tooth restored with a pulpotomy
80-100% over 3-5 years
what is the success rate of a non-vital tooth treated with a pulpectomy
90%
what is a pulpotomy
removing all non-vital coronal pulp tissue from a vital tooth to prevent necrosis and preserve the vitality of the tooth
what should ALWAYS be done when doing a pulpotomy
- LA
- remove ALL caries before exposing the pulp
- remove the entire roof of the pulp chamber
- preserve apical or radicular pulp
what is the technique for a pulpotomy
- administer LA
- AMPUTATION
- remove the caries
- remove the roof of the pulp chamber
- remove the coronal pulp using a slow speed or hand held excavator
- place a cotton pledget with ferric sulphate to arrest the haemorrhage
- place ZOE over the pulp chamber and root stumps
- restoration of cavity with GIC
- cover the tooth with a preformed metal crown
what is a pulpectomy
removal of non-vital, hyperaemic pulp or pulp with irreversible pulpits
what is a large giveaway for irreversible pulpitis
a sinus