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Common Symptoms of a Root Canal Infection

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Common Symptoms of a Root Canal Infection

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “Common Symptoms of a Root Canal Infection”. The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]Infections of the root canal space and their sequelae can be extremely painful and potentially dangerous, yet they do not necessarily have to be. Chronic, asymptomatic inflammatory lesions around the apex of a tooth with a necrotic dental pulp or an insufficient root canal treatment can develop unnoticed by the patient and remain so for years. The course of disease is modulated by both the virulence of the microbiota established in the root canal space and the capacity of the immune system to curb the infection. To both ends, highly convincing investigations to help us understand when and why the tissues around an endodontically involved tooth become acutely inflamed are missing. We will discuss how recent advances in molecular identification of microorganisms have altered our understanding of root canal infections, and which information is currently missing to link clinical experience with observations from experimental research.

[2]Root canal infection is a microbial infection of the tooth that is the most common cause for tooth pain. Knowledge of root canal pathogens and the inflammatory responses they elicit is a prerequisite to our understanding of the pathogenesis of root canal infections. Root canal infections are mostly accompanied by some clinical signs and symptoms such as pain, periapical lesion, tenderness to percussion, swelling, and sinus tract. These symptoms may be the consequence of the presence of bacterial irritants causing an inflammatory response of the periapical tissues. While many different bacterial species are able to colonize the dental root canals, it has been shown that there is a correlation between the presence of specific bacteria and some endodontic symptoms and signs. Knowledge regarding the nature of endodontic microbiota depends upon the recognition of those microorganisms present in the root canal system of teeth with necrotic pulp and failed endodontic treatment.

The literature on root canal infections shows that root canal harbors an array of microorganisms.

[3]Why You May Need Retreatment After A Root Canal

Even when every step of the procedure goes smoothly, a tooth that is treated with a root canal may experience prolonged sensitivity or reinfection. According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), certain circumstances may prevent a tooth treated with a root canal from healing properly:

If the dental professional misses tiny, hidden canals or curved canals during the first treatment, the bacteria inside them may not be entirely removed and can cause infection.

Immediately after the root canal, the dental professional often places a temporary filling to provide a short-term seal for the root canal before placing the permanent restoration (such as a crown or filling). If there is a delay in placing the permanent restoration, there is a greater chance that the root canal can get reinfected.

If bacteria in the saliva get under the filling material before the filling is placed, the canal can become reinfected.

If the patient doesn’t maintain proper oral hygiene, new cavities can form on the same tooth that already received a root canal.

A filling or crown placed on the tooth that received the root canal can crack, loosen or break, allowing a new infection to start.

Symptoms Of Lingering Endodontic Problems

When any of the previous circumstances occurs with your root canal tooth, you may experience a range of symptoms. Here are some signs that indicate it may be time to make an appointment with your dental professional, according to the AAE:

  • Sensitivity to hot and cold, or lingering pain after consuming hot or cold food
  • Sharp pain when biting down or when tapping the teeth together
  • Constant pain and pressure
  • Swelling of the gums, with or without the presence of a pimple-like bump near the tooth on the gums
  • A dull ache experienced consistently in the same area

These symptoms indicate there may be an issue with the pulp of the tooth, which is the interior portion of the tooth treated by a root canal procedure.

How A Dental Professional Can Help

Your general dentist or endodontist will usually take X-rays to assess the condition of the tooth in question. The AAE notes that endodontists are specialized dental professionals who have received two to three additional years of education to diagnose and treat infections inside the tooth.

When you experience issues with a previously treated tooth, it may be necessary for an endodontist to reopen the tooth, explains the AAE. This process, called endodontic retreatment, allows the dentist to remove the original root canal filling material and reclean and reseal the canals. Following this procedure, they will place a temporary filling and you will receive your permanent restoration at a later appointment.

If you have a severe toothache or other old root canal infection symptoms, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with your dentist. When these conditions are addressed early, your dental professional can successfully retreat teeth and maintain your smile.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4601489/ ↑
  2. https://www.saudiendodj.com/article.asp?issn=1658-5984;year=2016;volume=6;issue=2;spage=82;epage=86;aulast=Vineet ↑
  3. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/root-canals/why-old-root-canal-infection-symptoms-return-and-what-to-do-next ↑

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What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

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What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?”. The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth — also called third molars — are the last set of teeth that grow in. They usually erupt (break through your gums) between the ages of 17 and 25. Sometimes, wisdom teeth erupt in alignment with your other teeth and don’t cause any problems. Other times, they become either partially or fully trapped in your gums or jawbone. This is referred to as impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of oral health problems, including cavities, gum disease, and infection.

Fully impacted wisdom teeth, partially impacted wisdom teeth and non-impacted wisdom teeth: What’s the difference?

Fully impacted wisdom teeth aren’t visible. They’re completely hidden underneath your gums. A partially impacted wisdom tooth is slightly visible because part of it has erupted. Non-impacted wisdom teeth have erupted and are completely visible above your gum line. It’s important to note that non-impacted wisdom teeth can still cause problems.

Soft Tissue Impaction Vs. Hard Tissue Impaction

You might hear your dentist use the terms “soft tissue impaction” and “hard tissue impaction.” Soft tissue impaction means your tooth has erupted from your jawbone but hasn’t broken through your gums. Hard tissue impaction means your tooth is still completely covered by your gums and jawbone.

What Are The Different Types Of Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Angular Impaction:

Angular impaction describes a tooth that is angled from 1-90 degrees. Teeth while a small angle may be closely monitored, while teeth that are closer to 90 degrees will likely be extracted to prevent damage to the surrounding teeth, bone, and gums. Depending on the direction of the angle, angular impaction can be further classified as mesial or distal. Mesial angular impaction is the most common type of impaction and it usually occurs as partial impaction. With mesial impaction, the tooth is angled towards the front of the mouth. Distal angular impactions, on the other hand, are the least common type of impaction. With distal impactions, the tooth is angled towards the back of the mouth.

Horizontal Impaction:

Horizontal impaction describes a tooth that is completely horizontal, or parallel, to the gum line. Most cases of horizontal impaction are fully impacted. Out of all the types of impaction, this is the most painful because the horizontal wisdom tooth is constantly applying force to the molar next to it. For this reason, horizontally impacted wisdom teeth will need to be extracted as soon as possible. Otherwise, the wisdom tooth will keep pushing against the surrounding molar. In addition to being extremely painful, this can also cause severe damage to the molar being pushed.

Vertical Impaction:

Vertical impaction describes a tooth that is vertical or almost vertical in position. Since this is the proper position for eruption, this type of impaction may not require extraction. However, in cases where the tooth is pressing into the tooth next to it, or if there is excess pressure being exerted on the tooth’s roots, extraction may be needed.

How Common Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Impacted wisdom teeth are extremely common. According to the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth.

[2]What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

The human mouth normally does not have room for 32 teeth, which includes the four wisdom teeth, so if wisdom teeth come through, they may cause crowding, infections, ear pain, and swelling.

Generally, people have four wisdom teeth. A person can have between none and four, and in rare cases, individuals may have more than four.

Having a small jaw or mouth with an abundance of teeth does not allow wisdom teeth to come through — they do not fully emerge into the mouth. This can also lead to crowding, infections, ear pain, and swelling.

Wisdom teeth can also grow in an atypical direction, coming out sideways, at an atypical angle, or only partially. Wisdom teeth that grow in different positions can cause pain and damage adjacent teeth. Even if no apparent damage occurs, the angle and position of wisdom teeth can make them susceptible to disease and bacteria buildup, which can lead to infection and decay.

In most cases, people do not need to remove their wisdom teeth as long as they practice good oral hygiene. However, they may need removal if a person or dentist notices changes in the mouth.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22296-impacted-wisdom-teeth ↑
  2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/188660#what-are-impacted-wisdom-teeth ↑

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Fluoride – Myths and Facts

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Fluoride: Myths vs. Facts for Stronger Teeth

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “Fluoride – Myths and Facts”. The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]Fluoride is a mineral that can be found everywhere, but we consume it most often through our drinking water. You may be wondering why fluoride has been added to our water and if it’s healthy. This article will give you the facts on fluoride.

Fluoride Sources

Fluoride is a mineral that can be found in nature, such as in soil, air and water, and in very small amounts in most foods. We also get exposed to fluoride through dental products, like mouthwash and toothpaste, and by drinking tap water.

What does fluoride do for our teeth?

Fluoride helps to make our tooth enamel (the tooth’s outer layer) stronger. Strong tooth enamel can help prevent cavities.

[2]Fluoride occurs naturally in water, though usually not at a high enough level to protect teeth.

  1. Fluoride is a mineral that exists naturally in all water supplies: lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
  2. Some U.S. communities, such as El Paso, Texas and Jacksonville, Florida, have enough natural fluoride in their water to prevent tooth decay. But most communities must add a small amount of fluoride to reach the recommended level.
  3. There are proven benefits to our health from having the right amount of fluoride — just enough to protect our teeth — in drinking water.

Fluoride has been recognized as an important nutrient for healthy teeth.

  1. Fluoride is a mineral and in the right amount, fluoride in drinking water strengthens teeth. Fluoride is not a medication.
  2. Fluoride is one of several examples of everyday products fortified to improve our health — iodine is added to salt, folic acid is added to breads and cereals, and Vitamin D is added to milk.
  3. U.S. court decisions have rejected the argument that fluoride is a medication.

Community water fluoridation is the most cost-effective way to protect oral health and advance health equity.

  1. Fluoridation is the least expensive way to provide everyone in the same community with a proven form of cavity prevention.
  2. A 2021 report by the National Institutes of Health praised water fluoridation “for its effects in reducing socioeconomic disparities” in tooth decay.
  3. A 2021 report by Public Health England focused on closing oral health disparities. The report cited four studies that “consistently found that inequalities . . . were less pronounced in fluoridated areas.”

Fluoridation actually saves money by preventing tooth decay.

  1. Evidence shows that across the U.S. people in fluoridated communities save an average of $32.19 per person (in 2013 dollars) every year in reduced need for dental treatment compared to those without fluoridation.
  2. In Texas, the state saved $24 per child, per year in Medicaid expenditures because of the cavities that were prevented by drinking fluoridated water.
  3. Water fluoridation saves the state of Colorado nearly $150 million each year by avoiding unnecessary dental treatment.

[3]Fluoride concerns

Children

Young children (under 6 years of age) who are still forming teeth can develop dental fluorosis. This is a condition that occurs when fluoride causes white and brown spots to appear on the teeth. While not pleasing to look at, this condition is not harmful and can be treated by the dentist. Dental fluorosis does not usually occur in adults or older children.

The reason some younger children have dental fluorosis is because they are being exposed to more fluoride than they need to keep their teeth strong. Not only are they getting fluoride from tap water, but also other beverages made with water that has fluoride added, as well as toothpaste that is swallowed by accident.

Health Canada recommends that children under six use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. They should be supervised while brushing and taught not to swallow the toothpaste. Children under three should have their teeth brushed by an adult, without toothpaste, unless deemed high risk.

If you’re concerned about the amount of fluoride your child may be getting, speak to your dental provider.

The bottom line

Fluoride is a mineral that can help make our teeth stronger and prevent cavities. Public health measures such as adding fluoride to the water have contributed to reducing the rates of tooth decay, especially in children. Most Canadians are not exposed to harmful levels of fluoride and should feel safe about the affect of fluoride on their dental health.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://www.unlockfood.ca/en/Articles/Dental-health/Fluoride-Facts.aspx ↑
  2. https://ilikemyteeth.org/fluoridation/fluoride-myths-facts/ ↑
  3. https://www.unlockfood.ca/en/Articles/Dental-health/Fluoride-Facts.aspx ↑

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Things You Should Know About Dental Insurance

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Understanding Dental Insurance: What You Need to Know

 

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “Things You Should Know About Dental Insurance”. The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]Let’s face it: Getting dental work done can be expensive. Even the most basic cleaning can put a dent in your pocketbook. Having comprehensive dental insurance may mean the difference between putting off important oral healthcare or living with gum problems or a mouthful of cavities. However, because of the way certain policies are designed, you may be limited in what work you can get completed.

Some people put off care because their insurance doesn’t cover the treatment at all, while others do so because they’ve used their maximum coverage for the year. Still, most people agree that having some coverage is better than nothing at all. So how do you start? Here are four key steps to take when buying dental insurance to avoid getting caught with unexpected expenses.

Key Takeaways

  • Dental insurance gives you coverage to help pay for certain dental work.
  • Indemnity plans are more expensive because they don’t have a network.
  • PPOs and HMOs are often cheaper but require patients to stay within their networks.
  • Compare group and individual policies and make sure you understand how the network works.
  • Be sure you’re aware of which costs the policy covers and how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket.

The Basics Of Dental Insurance

Dental insurance gives you coverage to help pay for certain dental work. These policies can help insured parties pay for all or part of the work their dentists perform, from routine cleanings and X-rays to more-complicated ones such as implants.

Although dental insurance works a little like health insurance, the premiums are typically much lower—but, of course, there’s a catch. Most health insurance policies cover a hefty percentage of even towering expenses once you’ve paid your deductible, and many have an annual out-of-pocket maximum, along with a $50 to $100 deductible. This is not the case with dental insurance, which usually follows a 100-80-50 coverage structure.

If you are using in-network dentists, dental plans generally pay 100% of preventive care—exams, X-rays, and cleanings. Basic procedures, however, such as fillings, root canals, and extractions, only pay 80%, while major procedures such as crowns, bridges, implants, and gum-disease treatment may only be 50% of the cost. Orthodontia and cosmetic dentistry, which are not deemed medically necessary treatments, are usually not covered at all.

[2]The 5 Things You Should Know Before You Buy Dental Insurance

It’s no secret that oral health has a sizable impact on your well being. If you’ve ever experienced a toothache while attending a conference far from home, or needed a crown repair just when you thought your teeth were in tip top shape, you know that dental care is of primary importance.

However, there’s no need to wait until you’re in pain before you think about oral care. Your health insurance policy likely covers everything from preventative care to major surgeries, but most plans do not include dental coverage. So how do you pick out a dental plan that works best for you and your budget?

Here Are Five Things You Should Know Before You Purchase Dental Insurance.

Most Plans Cover Preventative Care

Annual checkups, or six-month checkups can get costly. They typically include a cleaning, a visual inspection from the dentist, and x-rays every year. This means that you may spend upwards of $200 just on a preventative care visit!

Most dental insurance plans cover 100% of the cost. However, some may only cover around 60%. When purchasing your plan, make sure that all preventative care fees are included, as these visits are what ward off future, more costly appointments.

Basic Restorative Care Coverage Is Critical

Most dental plans will cover 80% of the cost of fillings, extractions, and re-cementing of previous crowns and bridges. You’ll pay the remaining 20%. This potentially means huge savings in your pocket, as a $400 filling may only cost you $80!

Keep in mind, though, that most dental plans will only cover amalgam (silver) fillings, not composite (tooth-colored) fillings. So if you want to avoid metal fillings, there may be additional costs.

Major Restorative Services Are Likely Covered

Crowns, bridges, implants, and root canals are typically covered at a rate of 50%. Although it may seem like you’re still paying a lot, in reality, you likely won’t need these services often. However, when you do, you’ll be glad to only pay half of what you would without insurance!

A root canal with a crown can cost upwards of $2,000. You’re already in pain from the tooth. Avoid adding any extra pain to your wallet, too. Dental insurance will knock your bill down to $1,000.

Corrective Services Aren’t Typically Included

If you need braces or other orthodontia, you’ll want to consider buying a rider policy (unless the plan you are considering provides coverage). These are usually just a few dollars more per month, and typically cover 50% of the cost of your service.

Dental Plans Have Waiting Periods

Although dental plans can save you a whole lot of money, you don’t want to save up all your dental work for the first month you purchase a plan.

Typically, preventative care visits are covered immediately, or within 30 days. Basic restorative services may be covered after 3 months, and major restorative services after 6 months. Even then, you’ll want to check how much your policy covers during a calendar year. Some policies may only cover a few services each year.

In addition, most dental plans must remain in effect for at least one year. So, best to nix the idea of getting a dental plan to quickly cover the cost of those 5 crowns you just found out you needed. This is really beneficial to you as the policy holder, as well, since you want to be vigilant about your oral health now and for years to come. Our MetLife Dental Insurance has a 12-month waiting period for bridges, dentures and orthodontia.

Now that you know what to consider when shopping for a new dental plan, are you ready to get started? Call us today and let our experienced advisors at TMA Insurance Trust help you find the right dental plan for you, your family and your medical practice staff.

[3]Benefits Of Dental Insurance Coverage

Dental health in India does not get the same importance as physical or mental health. It is also expensive to take care of dental health and hygiene. Both these reasons lead to tooth decay and other problems that can be avoided. You too may delay visiting a dentist until the problem is severe.

Dental insurance and its benefits can change all this for the better. Comprehensive dental insurance coverage includes simple and major treatments. These plans also provide cover for preventive care, ensuring that your medical bills are pocket friendly. This also encourages people to visit dentists more often.

Here Are Some Inclusions Of Comprehensive Dental Plans.

  • Regular consultation and follow-ups
  • Dental procedures like tooth filling, and root canal procedures
  • Diagnostic tests like dental x-ray and clearance exams for patients undergoing chemotherapy
  • Dental surgeries and implants
  • Oral infections, treatment for gum conditions, pediatric dental care

Dental insurance also covers preventive care, medication, and treatment after a surgery. You also get complete coverage for damaged teeth due to an accident. Some insurers provide free consultations with dentist from their network too.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/120914/4-important-steps-choosing-dental-insurance.asp ↑

  2. https://www.tmait.org/blog/5-things-to-know-before-you-buy-dental-insurance ↑

  3. https://www.bajajfinservhealth.in/articles/here-are-4-things-you-need-to-know-about-dental-insurance ↑

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Facts About Dental Implant Recovery Process

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Important Insights on Dental Implant Recovery

 

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “Facts About Dental Implant Recovery Process”. The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]Dental implants are a common treatment for the loss of teeth. This paper summarizes current knowledge on implant surfaces, immediate loading versus conventional loading, short implants, sinus lifting, and custom implants using three-dimensional printing. Most of the implant surface modifications showed good osseointegration results. Regarding biomolecular coatings, which have been recently developed and studied, good results were observed in animal experiments. Immediate loading had similar clinical outcomes compared to conventional loading and can be used as a successful treatment because it has the advantage of reducing treatment times and providing early function and aesthetics.

Short implants showed similar clinical outcomes compared to standard implants. A variety of sinus augmentation techniques, grafting materials, and alternative techniques, such as tilted implants, zygomatic implants, and short implants, can be used. With the development of new technologies in three-dimension and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) customized implants can be used as an alternative to conventional implant designs. However, there are limitations due to the lack of long-term studies or clinical studies. A long-term clinical trial and a more predictive study are needed.

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry says that more than 300,000 dental implants are placed each year in the US. So how fast can one return to normal day-to-day activities once the procedure is completed?

[2]What Is A Dental Implant?

A dental implant procedure is done to replace a tooth that has decay or other periodontal diseases. This is one of the most effective ways to replace teeth that are beyond repair. Dental implants are replacements for tooth roots and are made of titanium. An implant is attached to the gum or jaw and acts as an anchor to place the artificial tooth called the ‘crown’.

A dental implant is a complicated dental procedure and requires effort and time. Hence, it might take longer to recover from it, compared to other procedures.

How Long Before I Recover From a Dental Implant Procedure?

The recovery time for an implant procedure varies from person to person. Each person’s dental constitution and condition is unique. While some can return to their daily routine in a few days, some others could experience ongoing pain even for weeks.

The one thing to keep in mind is that the subsiding of pain does not indicate a full recovery.

A dental implant is done in a few steps and each step requires a specific time to be effective or as a cool-off period:

  • The implant is placed first into the socket and is left there for a few weeks or months. This period allows the jaw to grow around it and strengthen the implant (Osseointegration).
  • An abutment is later attached to secure the implant and is left for the complete integration of the implant.
  • The final step is the placement of the artificial tooth or the crown. The placement of the crown is generally not a painful process and so does not require a long recovery time.

Factors Affecting Dental Implant Recovery

  • The strength of the jawbone- the jawbone needs to be strong to hold the implant
  • Chronic illnesses like diabetes and leukemia can slow down recovery
  • Tobacco usage affects the healing process

A dental implant usually requires a relatively long time for a complete recovery. But people who undergo the process can go on with their daily routine as the pain and any discomfort can be easily treated

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5671421/ ↑

  2. https://www.greatlakeshealthandwellness.com/ ↑

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Early Childhood Caries

Dental caries (decay) is an international public health challenge, especially amongst young children. Early childhood caries (ECC) is a serious public health problem in both developing and industrialized countries.

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What To Do When A Dental Emergency Happens?

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What To Do When A Dental Emergency Happens?

 

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “What To Do When A Dental Emergency Happens?“. The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]Part of the oral health care in the care network encompasses users in emergency cases. This study proposed mapping the determinants of the use of dental care services within the health care network to address dental emergencies within the Brazilian Unified Health System (UHS) and to verify the main gaps in the research in this area. This is a scoping review that took place in 2018 using Andersen’s behavioral model as a reference. A total of 16 studies, out of 3786 original articles identified, were included and reviewed. Two reviewers independently conducted the selection process and the decision was consensually made. The mapping of the determinants revealed a greater number of enabling factors and a larger gap in the results.

Greater use of the emergency service was registered by people in pain, women, adults, those from an urban area, people with a lower income, and those with less education. In future studies, primary surveys are recommended, which include all ages, and analyze different groups of needs and users that take into account the country’s northern region and the different subjects pointed out by this review.

[2]Methods

The medical records of 4158 dental emergency patients in 2019 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into pre-SARS-COV-2 group and SARS-COV-2 group according to time. The demographic data, date and time, diagnosis, and treatment methods of the two groups were statistically described, and the chi-squared test was used to analyze the differences. The medical records of 4158 dental emergency patients during the same period of two years in 2019 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into SARS-COV-2 pre-group and SARS-COV-2 group according to time. The demographic data, date and time, diagnosis and treatment methods of the two groups were statistically described, and the chi-square test was used to determine the differences.

Data Sources And Grouping

All the patients presenting to the dental emergency service of the National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Dental Emergency, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, located in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, were included in the present study. It is an important dental emergency center in western China. The emergency center is open from Monday to Sunday from 0:00 to 24:00 every day. Information, including dental emergency patients’ demographic data, diagnoses, treatment methods, and the use of antibiotics and analgesics collected from January 20 to March 8, 2020, comprised the SARS-COV-2 group data.

In order to better compare the changes of dental emergency patient visits before and after the epidemic, and avoid the influence of time, season and other mixed factors, we set the data during the same period (from January 21 to March 10, 2019) as the control group (pre-SARS-COV–2 group). Screening criteria included data from 4158 visitors with definitive disease diagnosis and complete medical records in the dental emergency center before the pandemic.

Classification

A retrospective investigation of the patients was carried out to analyze demographic data: sex (male, female), age (0–18 years old in the juvenile group, 19–45 years old in the youth group, 46–65 years old in the middle-aged group, ≥ 66 years old in the elderly group), the period (weekly trend changes, daily trend changes), the dental emergency treatment approaches, including drug use (antibiotics/analgesics) and local treatment.

Diagnoses

According to the standards of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10) the following seven categories of dental emergencies preliminarily diagnosed by pre-hospital physicians were included in this study:

  • Group 1: Acute pulpitis (K04.0) and/or acute apical periodontitis (K04.4)
  • Group 2: Acute gingivitis (K05.0) and/or acute pericoronitis (K05.2)
  • Group 3: Temporomandibular joint disorders (K07.6)
  • Group 4: Cellulitis and abscess of the oral cavity (K12.2)
  • Group 5: Open wound of the lip and oral cavity (S01.5)
  • Group 6: Fracture of tooth (S02.5)
  • Group 7: Others (non-emergency diseases, including diagnoses related to a prosthesis, aesthetic, recall, or maintenance)

Statistical Methods

Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 20.0). The data were normally distributed and presented as means ± standard deviations. A chi-squared test was used to analyze the distribution between groups. Statistical significance was defined at P < 0.05.

Results

During the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, the number of dental emergency visits increased by 29.7%. During the pandemic, males (n = 286, 58.1%) were more likely to visit dental emergency centers for trauma than females (n = 206, 41.9%) (P < 0.05); females (n = 242, 60.8%) were more likely to visit dental emergency centers for acute gingivitis and acute pericoronitis than males (n = 156, 39.2%) (P < 0.05). A major change in diagnosis was related to acute pulpitis (K04.0) and acute apical periodontitis (K04.4), which increased by 9.2%; acute gingivitis (K05.0) and acute pericoronitis (K05.2) increased by 3.5%; open wound of the lip and oral cavity (S01.5) decreased by 17.9%; other conditions (non-emergency diseases) increased by 6.8%, compared with the pre-SARS-COV-2 period. Among the treatment modalities, during the pre-SARS-COV-2 period, 304 patients (17.7%) received a prescription for antibiotics and analgesics, and 1485 (86.5%) received a prescription for local treatment. During the SARS-COV-2 period, 958 (39.2%) received a prescription for antibiotics and analgesics, and 1636 (67.0%) received a prescription for local treatment.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7063673/ ↑

  2. https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-021-01499-y ↑

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