Detailed Explanation of Various Dental Treatments and Procedures

This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of various dental treatments and procedures. It begins by identifying methods for controlling plaque, including brushing, mouth rinses, and regular check-ups, followed by a discussion of treatments for caries, such as fluoride treatments, fillings, and root canals. The assignment also details treatments for periodontal disease, including good oral hygiene, scaling, and medication. Further, it explains the reasons for finishing restorations, emphasizing plaque minimization, surface staining reduction, and patient satisfaction. The assignment then evaluates methods of assisting the operator in dental procedures, focusing on patient and team positioning, instrument passing, and suction techniques. It also addresses the hazards associated with amalgam, including mercury exposure and environmental costs, and describes how to manage a mercury spillage. Finally, the assignment explains the uses, benefits, and procedures of various treatments, including temporary restorations, amalgam restorations, composite restorations, glass ionomer restorations, fissure sealants, fluoride treatments, scaling and polishing, and debridement.

1. DN8 1.1
Identify methods available for controlling plaque.
Plaque can be controlled by following methods:
 Brush your teeth at least twice in a day in order to remove the bacteria and food
particles.
 By using an antibacterial mouth rinse to kill the bacteria
 Go for check-ups from time to time.
 Eat a balanced diet and maintain appropriate level of meals to be consumed in a day.
2. DN8 1.2
List the treatments available for controlling caries.
Treatments that are available for controlling caries are:
 fluoride treatment – this treatment is done in order to restore the tooth's enamel
 fillings – it is done in order to decay or damage.
 crowns – it is done when the teeth is very weak.
 root canal – it is done when the decay reaches inner part of the teeth.
 Tooth extraction – it is done when the decay is very high and the last option is to
remove the teeth
3. DN8 1.3
List the treatments available for controlling periodontal disease.
In order to control periodontal disease, the following treatments would be done
 good oral hygiene by brushing the teeth regularly with soft brush
 scaling and cleaning in order to remove plaque
 medication that is by using number of medicated mouthwashes.
 Advanced periodontitis is used when the level of damage is high and a need arises to
carry out surgery.
4. DN8 2.9
Explain the reasons for finishing restorations.
There are 3 main reasons to finish restorations. First is to minimise plaque in order to
remove sticky deposit on the teeth by brushing them regularly. Second one is to minimise
surface staining by brushing the teeth with paste containing baking soda and water in order to
reduce bacteria in the mouth and last but not least to enhance patient satisfaction and pleasure

5. DN8 2.10 range 3a-e, 2.4
Evaluate methods of working when assisting the operator – In your answer include why
certain things are placed like they are (seating, positioning of patient and team, instrument
passing, suction in relation to monitoring the patient and dentist)
While assisting the operator provide chair side support while removing the teeth, the
patient would be positioned on the bed and the entire team would be monitoring and assisting
the patient and dentist. On the other hand, instruments would be passed as per the
requirement.
6. DN15 3.6
Explain the hazards associated with amalgam
Hazards associated are :
 mercury exposure – it is one of the most dangerous hazard as it is associated with
mental poisoning and has serious side effects
 environmental cost – it may cost that is measured in terms of its damage on the
environment due to various activities
 vulnerable population – amalgam is not good for anyone but it is very serious for
people such as children, pregnant ladies, etc, who are most vulnerable to the damage.
7. DN15 3.7 DN1 LO3 range 4a
Describe how you would manage a mercury spillage
mercury spillage can be managed by :
 training the staff properly and giving them guideline regarding how to handle them
properly
 management of mercury spill – proper management should be done such as picking
up the broken glasses and then wrapping it in a towel in order to ensure hygiene
 collecting and labelling appropriately – it is very important to manage and label them
appropriately in order to avoid accidents
 disposing properly – disposing them properly such as by properly seal the bag
containing mercury spillage.
8. DN8 LO2 range 2a-h
Explain the uses, benefits and procedures of each one of the following treatments:
a) Temporary restorations –

Use - It is used to cover up the prepared part of tooth.
Benefit - Its benefit is that it prepares the tooth until the permanent restoration is done.
Procedure - It is done by making temporary crowns and bridges
b) Amalgam restorations –
Use - it is used to fill cavities in the teeth.
Benefit - Its benefit is that it is quite durable and solves the long term purpose.
Procedure - It is done by mixing liquid mercury and mental alloy mixture.
c) Composite restorations –
Use - these are used in order to restore front teeth.
Benefit - Its benefit is that it blends the surrounding of the teeth for the natural appearance.
Procedure - It is done by acid etching the tooth surface.
d) Glass ionomer restorations –
Use - it is used as a filing material and luting cement.
Benefit - Its benefit is it contains the characteristics of natural teeth.
Procedure - It is done by providing protective fluoride at the margins of restoration.
e) Fissure sealants –
Use - it is used to paint the back teeth.
Benefit - Its main benefit is that it protects the teeth from acid and bacteria to prevent further
tooth damage.
Procedure - It is done by painting the plastic coating on the back teeth.
f) Fluoride treatments –
Use - these are used in order to protect the teeth.
Benefit - Its benefit is that it is the best way to provide extra protection to the teeth.
Procedure - It is done by providing a mineral that is used to repair teeth.
g) Scaling and polishing –
Use - it is used to scale and polish that area where your brush cannot reach.
Benefit - Its benefit is that it reduces the chances of the patient to develop any kind of gum
disease.
Procedure - It is done by cleaning around the gum line and back of the teeth.
h) Debridement –
Use - it is used to remove the damaged tissue.
Benefit - Its benefit is that it is the best way of healing.
Procedure - It is done through any chemical, mechanical and surgical therapy.