Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - (Page 29)

MINIMALLY INVASIVE DENTISTRY | patients “The hygienists have really championed integrating these preventive concepts into practice and the next step is better treatment of the source of the infection,” he says. Early detection technologies allow caries to be spotted before they cause enough decay to require the drilling and filling that were once the hallmark of dentistry. Instead, a number of low-impact remineralization treatments are now available to address early caries impact and repair damaged teeth. As these technologies and treatments continue to improve, stopping carries from occurring in the first place might someday be the norm. A PH BALANCED FUTURE Studies have shown the make up of saliva is a key component to the development of the bacteria behind caries infections. These bacteria thrive in acidic environments, and some prevention efforts are now focusing on the benefits of balancing the pH in patients’ mouths. Cady believes this is a promising area of care that could eventually lead to non-invasive treatments that curtail most caries infections before they impact a single tooth. “The most current research on cariology and biofilms shows that if we can control the pH of the biofilms in the mouth, we can control caries prevention,” she says. These developments can lead to improvements in general oral health, and patients certainly will support anything that means less pain and discomfort during a visit to the dentist. Unfortunately, for now these advancements are still outpacing the financial infrastructure of the dental industry. and educating patients about these advancements are the keys to shifting the focus of dental care toward prevention. Cady and Thibadeau agree that hygienists, who already take the lead in patient education, can have an impact in advancing MID. “Hygienists play an important role in helping people understand how oral health relates to their overall health. I think the hygienist is best equipped to communicate to the patient how the dental community is approaching their health,” Thibadeau says. As patients gain an understanding that prevention- and detection-focused dental care can be more comfortable, less painful and more affordable, they’re sure to increase the demand for MID. With the science and technology already pointed in that direction, Cady is confident the fee structure will find a way to catch up and dentists will be fairly compensated for their preventive efforts. “The cost of wellness and preventive care will help drive a move to this area because prevention is more affordable than treatment,” she says. mh Noah Levine is an associate editor for Modern Hygienist. Designed to aid in discovering interproximal and occlusal caries that might otherwise go undetected, the Midwest Caries I.D. detection handpiece uses proprietary LED and fiberoptic technology to positively identify caries using two clear signals: a visual signal on the tooth as well as an audible tone. Visit cariesid.com for details. watch this! Get a quick peek at the science behind the remineralization process in this video on GC America’s MI Paste. tip With their early detection and prevention capabilities, both laser caries detection and pH balance technologies can be key components in using a CAMBRA (Caries Management By Risk Assessment) protocol in your practice. MAKING PREVENTION PAY Current industry standards pay dentists much more for treating tooth decay than preventing it in the first place. MID advocates know this has to change because as Thibadeau says, “there needs to be better ways to compensate a dentist for doing what’s in the patient’s best interest.” Proving the effectiveness of these minimally invasive strategies, techniques and technologies, October 2008 | modern hygienist 29 http://www.cariesid.com http://www.dentalproductsreport.com/elibrary/video_player/83

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Hygienist - October 2008

Modern Hygienist - October 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Letters News Modern Solutions Trends: Homecare Trends: Perio Trends: Ergo Trends: Mid Care After Chemo Professional Rewind Esthetic Expertise: Make or Break Relationship Hands-on Hygiene: Have You Seen the Light? Going the Distance Training for Life Presi-dental Politics Ad Index Moonlighting

Modern Hygienist - October 2008

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