Nigerians should take note that extraction of teeth is not the only treatment options in dental care. Tough cases does not necessarily mean extraction. Many treatments can save the natural tooth for a lifetime, many treatment options can improve the function of the teeth, and many treatment plans can restore the teeth to near-normal state if attended to early enough. You can read up Burst the myths to familiarise yourself with the in-thing in dental world.
What the dentist would suggest to you depends on the condition of the teeth, your time of presentation at the clinic, your general health, your level of co-operation and compliance to instructions, your financial strength, availability of dental expertise and of appropriate dental materials.
https://web.archive.org/web/20200921090456if_/https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-6058237975845812&output=html&h=60&slotname=5936713035&adk=3569226516&adf=2633247906&w=468&lmt=1742909146&psa=0&guci=2.2.0.0.2.2.0.0&format=468×60&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdentalchannel.com.ng%2F2017%2F05%2F23%2Fdental-treatment-guide-towards-healthy-teeth%2F&flash=32.0.0&wgl=1&dt=1600679230423&bpp=4&bdt=136047&idt=20637&shv=r20200915&cbv=r20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&prev_fmts=728×90&correlator=150862346459&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1877344668.1600679252&ga_sid=1600679252&ga_hid=494552743&ga_fc=0&icsg=1073123345563644&dssz=88&mdo=0&mso=0&u_tz=0&u_his=2&u_java=0&u_h=768&u_w=1366&u_ah=720&u_aw=1366&u_cd=24&u_nplug=6&u_nmime=6&adx=263&ady=1788&biw=1366&bih=635&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&oid=3&pvsid=794616600919794&pem=216&top=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.archive.org%2Fweb%2F20200921090456%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fdentalchannel.com.ng%2F2017%2F05%2F23%2Fdental-treatment-guide-towards-healthy-teeth%2F&rx=0&eae=0&fc=896&brdim=-8%2C-8%2C-8%2C-8%2C1366%2C0%2C1382%2C736%2C1366%2C635&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CoeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&cms=2&fu=8196&bc=31&ifi=2&uci=a!2&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=hNALjhG4Gs&p=https%3A//web.archive.org&dtd=21687
N.B: Two people coming to the dental clinic with similar dental complaints may not receive similar treatments from the same dentist and also two different people who receive the same treatment for their individual complaint may still respond to the treatment differently. Why? There are a lot of background check and Clinical considerations. This article is a guidance for successful outcomes based on prognosis and wide consultation with your individual dentists.
So, there are no strict rules and the treatment plans and options are more complex than what a quack can venture into. Dental practice is evidence-based and patients satisfaction is the ultimate goal of every case or patient managed.
Here are some common main complaints and some sort of possible treatments that can be suggested.
| Dental Treatment Guide Chief Complaints Proposed Treatment Pain In Teeth -lasting for few seconds Filling -on taking cold drinks Filling / Root Canal Treatment – during chewing or eating of hot food Root Canal Treatment / Extraction – relieved only on taking medication Root Canal Treatment / Extraction -at night Root Canal Treatment / Extraction -lasting for minutes to few hours Root Canal Treatment / Extraction Broken Tooth Root Canal Treatment / Extraction Misaligned Teeth / Crooked Teeth Orthodontic Treatment (Braces) Sensitive Teeth Identify & Treat the cause. Use Desensitizer Mouth Ulcers Vitamin B & C, Folic Acid, Mouth Ulcer gels Spacing Between Teeth Cosmetic Fillings / Veneers / Laminates /Braces Treatment Thumb sucking habit / mouth breathing / other mouth habits Habit Breaking Appliance (Orthodontic) Deposits on teeth / tartar Professional Cleaning of teeth (Scaling& polishing) Bleeding gums during brushing Professional Cleaning of teeth (Scaling& polishing) Swelling of Gums Identify cause, scaling& polishing / gum surgery Inability to open the mouth Identify cause, antibiotics, muscle relaxants Fluorosis (discolouration) Veneers / Laminates / Crowns Shaking Tooth (Mobile) Splinting of Teeth / Extraction Decay /hole on tooth Filling / Root Canal Treatment / Extraction Pain during wisdom tooth eruption X-ray / analgesics / antibiotics / removal of gums above erupting tooth / extraction Bad Breath Identify & Treat the cause. Local cause-Cleaning & Mouthwashes. Systemic cause- consult general physician Missing tooth Replacement with Removable denture / fixed partial dentures (Crown & Bridges) / Dental Implants Broken&/Discoloured upper front teeth Root Canal Treatment & Bleaching / Crown |
| Disclaimer: This is the general dental treatment guideline. Treatment plans often vary from one patient to the other, depending on nature of dental conditions & severity of the disease. This treatment guideline is NOT in any way a substitute for individual dental specialist opinion. |