5.1 Treatment Planning
Dental caries control is rapid elimination of all carious lesions in one or two visits within 2 months. It should be used to eliminate lesions that allow the infection to continue, affecting the margins of new and old restorations and unsealed pits and fissures. The goal is to remove the active caries to halt the infection, not necessarily to place adequate long-term restorations. Anesthetic may be necessary.
Teeth that are not restorable need to be extracted. Some patients will choose extraction instead of root canal therapy for teeth that have caries infecting the pulp. Extractions should be planned according to the patient’s needs, such as relieving pain and avoiding fracturing newly placed fillings.
Table 3 displays poor, better, and best treatment plans for a patient who needs preventive strategies and restorative treatment. The best treatment plan is sequenced by appointment, includes recall intervals, and specifies the treatment to be performed at each appointment.
Table 3. Poor, Better, and Best Treatment Plans
| Poor Treatment Plan |
Better Treatment Plan |
Best Treatment Plan |
| Prophy, fluoride varnish, sealants, ops. |
Appt. 1 |
OE, OHI, BWX. |
Appt. 1 |
OE, OHI, BWX. |
| Appt. 2 |
Ck OH, prophy, sealants, fluoride varnish. |
Appt. 2 |
CK OH, prophy, sealants #3, #14, fluoride varnish. |
| Add’l appts. |
Check OH, prophy, sealants, fluoride varnish last op appt. |
Appt. 3 |
CK OH, ops #30-OB. |
| |
Appt. 4 |
Ck OH, ops #19-O (PRR), SSC K, fluoride varnish, and 9-mo. caries recall. |
|
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