CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY
THERAPEUTIC AND RESTORATIVE
INTRODUCTION :
Some time ago we spoke of odontology alone, which would have been too general in including different disciplines such as surgical odontology, legal odontology; we added the qualifier conservative, but this adjective is already used as a qualifier for dentistry.
The term dentistry kept dental surgery in an exclusively technical context.
Whereas conservative dentistry is less restrictive, more scientific and more medical.
Conservative dentistry and its complement periodontology constitute the set of sciences relating to the dental organ within the general framework of the masticatory system.
DEFINITION :
Conservative dentistry is a science relating to the biology and diseases of enamel, dentin and pulp; to their complications as well as to the preventive and curative conservative therapies applied to them.
Conservative dentistry is subdivided into:
- Therapeutic conservative dentistry.
- Conservative restorative dentistry.
Conservative dentistry is aimed at:
- Damage to the hard tissues of the tooth, namely cavities, abrasions, and trauma.
- Soft tissue lesions namely diseases of the pulp and periodontium.
THERAPEUTIC PRINCIPLE:
As with any injury, it is necessary to begin treating the injury (in this case we speak of therapeutic dentistry).
Then it is necessary to promote healing by repairing these tissues damaged by the caries (in this case we speak of restorative dentistry).
Therapeutic conservative dentistry: will aim to treat caries, abrasion, fracture, pulp or periodontal infection in order to relieve the patient and prevent local or loco-regional complications of this or that disease.
Conservative restorative dentistry: its aim is to restore the destroyed mineralized tissues of a tooth, using any material in such a way that the normal morphology and physiology are restored while optimally meeting mechanical and aesthetic requirements and preserving as much of the dental tissues that are still healthy as possible.
To begin treating the lesion, it is necessary to follow a therapeutic approach which consists of following a general treatment plan.
Clinical conduct: the general outline will be as follows:
- Questioning the patient.
- Inspection of the oral cavity and the causative tooth.
- Make a positive diagnosis, an etiological diagnosis, a differential diagnosis.
- Treatment plan.
- Give a prognosis based on the diagnosis made.
Steps to follow for the treatment of this cavity:
- The surgical phase: consists of opening the carious lesion;
-dentin curettage.
Preparation of the cavity.
- Drug phase: consists of applying a ZOE-type dressing
- Restorative phase: consists of the placement of a definitive filling which must be morphological and functional.
CONCLUSION: Conservative dentistry deals with diseases of the hard and soft tissues of the tooth.
Conservative, therapeutic and restorative dentistry must complement each other to achieve a common goal: the health of the dental organ .
CONSERVATIVE, THERAPEUTIC AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
Misplaced wisdom teeth can damage adjacent teeth.
Ceramic dental crowns provide a natural-looking result.
Receding gums can expose tooth roots.
Clear aligners are a discreet alternative to braces.
Composite fillings are less visible than amalgam.
Interdental brushes prevent gum problems.
A diet rich in calcium strengthens teeth and bones.