Preventive Procedures - Outcome 1 Flashcards
Dental Caries
It is a disease of the hard (calcified) tissues of the tooth, also referred to as a cavity or tooth decay.
Oral
Pertaining to the mouth. Oral health – the health of one’s teeth and mouth.
Periodontal Debridement
Removal of all debris (plaque biofilm, stain, and calculus) from the crowns and roots of the teeth.
Periodontal Disease
It includes a variety of inflammatory and degenerative diseases involving the supporting tissues of the teeth.
Preventive Dentistry
The practice of caring for your teeth to keep them healthy; this can include the use of fluoride, application of dental sealants, proper nutrition, and plaque control to the prevention of disease.
Practice
To perform and/or provide skills or procedures.
Prophylaxis
pertains to the prevention of disease.
Registered
A term used by some provincial dental assisting regulatory bodies. In Alberta registration is mandatory when a person meets the requirements for registration (complete a dental assisting education program, completed National Board requirements or meet labour mobility requirements, have current practice and demonstrates good character) and intends to provide dental assisting services directly to the public (College of Alberta Dental Assistants [CADA], 2019).
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry involves such procedures and services that are provided in both private dental offices and community health programs which are aimed at preventing the occurrences of oral diseases. Optimum oral health is within the reach of every individual; it relies on the combined efforts of the oral healthcare team, the patient, and the community. Preventive dentistry places responsibility on both the patient and the oral healthcare provider to achieve optimum oral health for life.
Scaling
It is a procedure in which calculus (hard dental deposits), dental plaque, and some extrinsic (outer) stains are scraped (cleaned) off the teeth with specific dental instruments called scalers and curettes. Only dental assistants who have received additional training may perform scaling.
Root Planing
It is a procedure done to smooth the tooth root to remove any remaining calculus and bacterial toxins.
Gingival/subgingival curettage
Gingival curettage is a surgical procedure designed to remove the soft tissue lining of the periodontal pocket with dental instruments (curettes) to remove the diseased tissue.
The theory behind the use of gingival curettage in the treatment of periodontal disease is that it removes the diseased tissue, reducing the inflamed tissue and allowing the tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth. However, studies have shown that no new attachment occurs and that the results do not differ when only scaling and root planing procedures are done (American Academy of Periodontology, 2002).
Procedures included in an Oral Prophylaxis
Scaling, Root planing, curettage, Coronal polishing, Topical fluoride application
Coronal polishing
Coronal polishing is a cosmetic procedure used to remove extrinsic (outer) stains from the enamel surfaces of the teeth.
Research has shown that coronal polishing is a non-essential cosmetic procedure (Gutkowski, 2001). Instead of polishing the teeth, instruction in oral hygiene techniques can help reduce the buildup of dental plaque biofilm, and dental stains.
Selective coronal polishing is a procedure in which only those teeth or surfaces with visible, extrinsic stains are polished. Selective polishing minimizes enamel being worn away by the abrasives in the polishing paste that is used to remove the stain and allows the patient to realize the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.
Dental flossing is the best way to ensure that bacterial plaque is removed from between the teeth. Neither the polishing procedure nor a scaling instrument can completely clean the tight contact areas between the teeth.
Topical fluoride application
Once deposits are removed from the teeth, an optional fluoride treatment can be provided for the patient to help prevent tooth decay and sensitivity.
Fluoride will be discussed in further detail in Outcome 6.
Deposits
Dental deposits refer to the various types of substances and stains that can build up on teeth. These deposits are classified into three main categories:
- Soft Deposits
- Hard Deposits
- Stains
Soft Deposits
Soft dental deposits are materials that form on the teeth and other structures in the mouth. There are four main types of soft deposits, each distinct from the others:
- Acquired Pellicle
- Dental Plaque (often called dental biofilm in current literature)
- Materia Alba
- Food Debris
disclosing agent
colouring agent used to make plaque visible when applied to teeth
fluoride varnish
concentrated form of topical fluoride applied to teeth that are at high risk for developing caries
systemic fluoride
fluoride that is ingested such as in the drinking water
topical fluoride
fluoride that is applied directly to the tooth
Non Surgical Periodontal Treatment
refers to noninvasive methods used to address periodontal disease. This can include the dental prophy, scaling and root planing, gingival curettage as well as introducing antimicrobial and antibiotic agents
calculus/tartar
plaque adhered to tooth structure that becomes mineralized by calcium and phosphate salts from saliva
endogenous
stains developed from within the structures of the teeth