pulp therapy for primary molars Flashcards
what are the two options when a patient comes in with a grossly carious primary molar?
> retain (do nothing or restorative)
> or extract
if a grossly carious tooth is left untreated or treated inadequately what may result?
> pain
> infection
> damage to permanent successor
> decreased masticatory function
when treatment planning for a grossly carious tooth, what symptoms from the history are important to find out?
> History of spontaneous severe pain
> Reported pain on biting
> Analgesics required
> History of swelling
on examination of a grossly carious tooth during treatment planning what are you looking for?
> Clinical extent and site of caries
- marginal ridge breakdown
> Intra-oral swelling or sinus
> Extra-oral or facial swelling
> Number of carious teeth
- previous caries experience
what special investigations are important for a grossly carious tooth?
> TTP
> Mobility
> Radiographs
NB Sensibility testing unreliable in primary teeth
what does radiographs allow us to see in grossly carious teeth?
> extent of caries
> proximity of large restorations to pulp horn
> Periradicular or intraradicular pathology
> degree of pathological or physiological root resorption
presence of a successor
what additional factors must you consider when treatment planning for grossly carious tooth?
> Co-operation
> Past Medical History
> Parental wishes
what dental factors are indications for tooth retention?
> Minimal number of extensively carious primary molars likely to require pulp therapy (<3)
> No permanent successor
> Where prevention of mesial migration of 1st permanent molars is desirable
> Early orthodontic intervention required e.g. cleft lip and palate
what social factors are indications for tooth retention?
> Good patient compliance
> Regular attender and positive parental attitude
what medical factors are indications for tooth retention?
> Patients at risk from an extraction (e.g. bleeding disorders, hereditary angio-oedema)
> Patients at risk if a general anaesthetic is required for tooth removal (e.g. some cardiac conditions, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophies
what dental factors are indication for extraction?
> Tooth unrestorable after pulp therapy
> Extensive internal root resorption
> Large number of carious teeth with likely pulpal involvement (>3)
> Tooth close to exfoliation (>2/3 root resorption)
> Contralateral tooth already lost (in the case of a 1st primary molar, and if indicated orthodontically)
> Extensive pathology or acute facial swelling necessitating emergency admission
what medical factors are indicators for extraction?
> Patients at risk from residual infection (e.g. immunocompromised, susceptibility to infective endocarditis
what social factors are indicators for extraction?
> An irregular attender, with poor compliance and unfavourable parental attitudes
what primary pulp therapy procedures do we do for a vital pulp?
> Hall crown
> Indirect pulp treatment
> Direct Pulp capping – poor success rate, high incidence of internal resorption.
> Vital pulpotomy
> Desensitising pulpotomy
what primary pulp therapy procedures do we do for a non vital pulp?
> Pulpectomy
> Non-vital pulpotomy – NOT INDICATED
what is the hall technique and what must it be accompanied by?
> Cement PMC over carious primary molars
> No LA or tooth preparation BUT
> Requires careful case selection
> Must be accompanied with an effective preventive regime
what are the indications for the hall technique?
> Full clinical exam, bitewings and parental consent
> No clinical or radiographic signs of pulp involvement
> Sufficient remaining sound tooth tissue to retain crown
> Good coop (avoid airway risk)
> Cl 1/ Cl 2 cavities if unable to accept restorations
what are the contraindications for the hall technique?
> Not if IE risk
> Unusual morphology (e.g. accessory cusp)
> Poor cooperation