Abstract

PRADEEP, K; KARIAPPA, S; CHETHANA, KC  and  KUTTAPPA, MA. Adolescent caries management: An interdisciplinary approach. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2016, vol.71, n.3, pp.116-118. ISSN 0375-1562.

Adolescent caries is a new and growing challenge in restorative dentistry. Dental aesthetics has become a popular topic in all the disciplines in dentistry. When a makeover is planned to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the teeth of a patient, the clinician must have a logical diagnostic approach that results in the appropriate treatment plan. With some patients, the restorative dentist cannot accomplish the correction alone, but may require the assistance of colleagues in other dental disciplines. This case describes a unique approach to interdisciplinary dental diagnosis, beginning with aesthetics but encompassing structure, function and biology to achieve an optimal result. Providing education about risk factors for dental caries, such as consumption of sugars and poor oral hygiene, together with the introduction of preventive strategies, not only assists in meeting the special oral needs of the adolescent population, but also helps in the establishment of lifelong healthy habits.

Keywords : Adolescent caries; interdisciplinary approach; interdisciplinary management.

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