Minimal intervention dentistry II: part 2. Management of caries and periodontal risks in general dental practice

Abstract

The long-term clinical management of caries and periodontal diseases requires a double approach, one that is concerned with both treatment and prevention. Dentists should recognise the risk factors and their likely triggers to be able to implement the right strategy as early as the diagnostic phase. This comprehensive assessment can easily be done in general practice. All it takes is to combine the patient's general information with the systemic and behavioural factors, and the clinical observations with the local factors. The resulting patient profile can thus effectively support treatment by providing the necessary explanations, advice or prescriptions in relation with the clinical procedures. The modifiable risk factors need to be monitored and the behaviours changed to stabilise or limit disease progression. The practitioner's active approach is meant to meet the patient's demand for preventive counselling.

Baseline caries risk assessment as a predictor of caries incidence

“…1–3 However, there is not an extensive literature that evaluates the effectiveness of current clinical risk assessment strategies to classify patients into reliable risk categories. Prognostic stratification would allow the clinician to offer personalized caries prevention and management, with the most intensive preventive therapy reserved for those patients at the greatest caries risk.…”

Full Mouth Rehabilitation of Adult Rampant Caries with Pragmatic Approach

“…In this case, the risk factor could be attributed to be pregnancy as explained in a study by Lallam and Decup. 9 The type of treatment solely relies on the patient's inclination toward dental treatment, level of decay, age, and cooperation of the patient. 10 The focus of any dental treatment is to facilitate the readaptation of the damaged dentition to a healthy state.…”