Conservative Dentistry

What is Conservative Dentistry?

This is a branch of dentistry that deals with the preservation and conservation of all the teeth present in the mouth of the patient. It is includes the practices of both Operative Dentistry and Endodontics. It involves in different kinds of direct and indirect restorations of the individual teeth in the mouth.

Conservative Dentistry has a primary concern that involves the diagnosis and treatment of the aftereffect that arises after the treatment of dental caries. This includes all the techniques and procedures that are used to restore the teeth to their full function, increase their aesthetics without any loss of any healthy tooth structure.

Conservative Dentistry also involves root canal therapy that is performed along with other dental surgical procedures to rid the teeth of any other disease.

What is Operative Dentistry?

It is a branch of dentistry, which involves the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the issues of the teeth that does not need the full coverage restorations for coverage.

This results in the restoration of proper form of the tooth, its function and the aesthetics, while maintaining the physiological integrity of the teeth with the adjacent hard and soft tissues. All these process together helps in enhancing the general health and welfare of the patient.

Factors

There are different factors that affect the operative treatment of a patient’s teeth. Some of the indications of these factors are:

• Dental Caries
• Malformed Teeth
• Discolored Teeth
• Non-aesthetic & Fractured Teeth
• Restoration, Replacement or Repair

Considerations

• Control of the infection causing the problem.
• Complete examination of the patient’s oral and systemic health.
• Diagnosing the dental issue affecting the body tissues
• Plan a treatment regimen, which can return the affected area to a state of good health and function restoration.
• Complete understanding of the materials that will be used to restore the affected area, including its limitations and the techniques to use it.
• Understand the environment where the restoration is going to take place.

What is Dental Caries?

Dental Caries is another term for tooth decay and cavities. A specific strand of bacteria causes dental caries and it produces acid that damages the enamel of the teeth and the layer underneath it, called the dentin.

The bacteria builds up on the teeth in a sticky film called plaque, which contains saliva, food pieces etc. Plaque is found in cracks or pits in the back teeth, in between the teeth, around the dental fillings and also near the gum line.

Authored By Dr Sanjay N - Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Bangalore