Most Common Dental Problems

The Story

CROWNS - CAPS
BENEFITS:
Make you look nicer (cosmetic)
To repair a tooth which is badly broken down
To prevent a tooth from fracturing
To restore a tooth which has broken
To eliminate a space where food is being trapped
To hold a false tooth in place as part of a bridge
To make a solid structure to attach a partial denture
To splint loose teeth together to strengthen them
The tooth no longer can be filled.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Porcelain portion of crown may fracture
Crown may come off and need to be recommended
Tooth may abscess and require further treatment (may not show up until later)
Future decay may require a filling or new crown
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
Tooth will probably fracture
Tooth may need to be extracted
May need a root canal in addition to the crown
May need bridgework or denture
ALTERNATIVES:
Extraction
Temporary crown
Steel crown ______

BRIDGEWORK
BENEFITS
Make you look nicer
To replace missing teeth
Missing teeth are not removable
Some of same advantages as Crowns
Can improve chewing efficiency
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Same as Crowns
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
Teeth will drift and lean over
May loose back teeth due to shifting
Periodontal problems (Gum disease)
Can reduce chewing efficiency
ALTERNATIVES:
Partials
Temporary partials
No teeth in the spaces

DateInitials
PARTIALS (REMOVABLE BRIDGEWORK)
BENEFITS:
Cost POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Can wear on Teeth
Can rock or stress teeth - may loosen own natural teeth
Metal clasps are sometimes visible
Decay can occur under clasps
Usually some amount of movement from the partial CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE orPOSTPONING
Same as under Bridgework ALTERNATIVES:
Bridgework
Temporary partial
Keep spaces without teeth placement

DateInitials

ROOT CANAL
BENEFITS:
Eliminate decay
Relieve Pain
Save the Tooth
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Undiagnosable root fracture means failure and extraction
Undiagnosable auxiliary canal means failure and extraction
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
Extraction of tooth
ALTERNATIVES:
Extraction
Bridgework

DateInitials
FILLINGS
BENEFITS:
Eliminate decay
Relieve pain
Fill in a hole or space in a tooth
Cover eroded area
Protect a sensitive surface
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Tooth may abscess from the filing
May fracture the tooth
Tooth will be sensitive to temperature change
Toxicity from silver fillings is alleged by some
Filling may fall out
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
May loose the tooth
Tooth may fracture
Decay will get worse
May result in need for a root canal
ALTERNATIVES:
Temporary filling _____ _

DateInitials

GUM SURGERY (Gingivectomy)
BENEFITS:
Eliminate infection
Reduce food pockets around teeth
Eliminate foul odors
Reduce overgrown tissue
Can eliminate Tartar effectively
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
May need to be repeated after a time Some after- pain
Might loose teeth if they don't respond to treatment
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
Will loose teeth sooner
May not get rid of infection
ALTERNATIVES:
More frequent appointments for scaling

DateInitials

EXTRACTIONS

BENEFITS:
Last resort for non-salvageable tooth
Eliminate pain
Remove teeth that are out of position
Eliminate infection
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Fractured particles may remain
Irritation to nerves may cause temporary or permanent numbness
Part or all of tooth may be lodged in sinus, requiring more surgery
Bad infections may take long time to clear up
Jaw may be stiff and difficult to open for a time
If Jawbone is very weak it may fracture
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
Spread of infection
Swelling
Pain
ALTERNATIVES:
None ______ _______

DateInitials

CLEANING - SCALING
BENEFITS:
Look nicer
Clean mouth
Eliminate odors
Prevent odors
Prevents Gum Disease
Some portions may be performed by auxiliary personnel
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Sensitive teeth
Feeling of spaces between teeth
Filling may be loosened (Normal if filling was ready to fall out)
Sensitive gums
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
Stains on teeth
Odors
Gum disease
Will lose teeth sooner
ALTERNATIVES:
None ______ _______


DateInitials

BONDED FACINGS

BENEFITS:
Esthetics - they look really nice
Cover crooked teeth
Close spaces and gaps
Cover discolored teeth
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Edges can stain after a time and need to be freshened up (additional fee)
Breakage can occur, resulting in need for remake
Difficult to remove
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
None (other than appearance)
ALTERNATIVES:
Crowns

DateInitials
LOCAL ANESTHETICS
BENEFITS:
Avoid pain during treatments and procedures
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Prolonged numbness may extend beyond normal
Nerve damage
Bruising (hematoma)
In rare instances, possible consequences may include all those applicable General Anesthesia, including allergic reactions up to and including death
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
Mild to severe pain during and after treatment
ALTERNATIVES:
Willingness to accept pain during treatment

DateInitials

X-RAYS
BENEFITS:
More complete diagnosis
Can find hidden problems
Can make a determination of treatment
X-Rays are taken by qualified personnel
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
Exposure to X-Ray radiation (minimal)
X-Ray pictures remain the property of this office
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING WORK DONE or POSTPONING
Can not perform dental services
ALTERNATIVES:
None ---------- — --------