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Minimally Invasive Solutions for Root Caries in Older Dental Patients
As the population of the UK is living longer, the absolute and relative numbers of older people retaining their natural teeth is on the rise. This means that conditions such as root caries, which are cavities located in the root surface of a tooth, and dry mouth will be more prevalent. The provision of patient-centered, minimally invasive treatment plans using only the most suitable materials is therefore essential for restoring and maintaining dentition.
Why are older adults susceptible to root caries?
There are many physical changes that can come with ageing that make older people at greater risk of demineralisation and root caries. These include reduced saliva flow, reduction in fine motor skills, cognitive decline, less mobility, changes in diet and general oral heath pathologies that come with a risk of comorbidities.
What’s the solution?
Root caries in older patients should be approached holistically with a treatment plan that identifies the risk factors, prevents and protects, treats and controls, and recalls if necessary. GC has an all-encompassing range of restorative and preventative materials with proven results to help you ensure that the population is not just living longer, but living longer with greater oral health.
GC Tri Plaque ID Gel
GC Tri Plaque ID Gel
Three tone plaque disclosing gelTri Plaque ID Gel can not only differentiate between old and new plaque in a few easy steps, but can also highlight exactly where the bacteria are most active by disclosing the acidic pH. Identification tools like this can help to motivate older patients and give them or their carers straightforward and objective feedback to optimise their brushing technique.
With this product, caries risk assessment can be done within a few minutes.
Plaque can be easily identified by observing the colour of the gel as follows:
- Pink or red: fresh plaque
- Blue or purple: mature plaque (at least 48 hours old)
- Light blue: mature and strong acid producing plaque
MI Paste Plus and MI Varnish
MI Paste Plus and MI Varnish
Strengthen and Desensitise
The presence of fluoride and amorphous calcium phosphate in the saliva creates a favourable environment for tissue remineralisation.
Topical fluoride should be used at home and be supplemented with regular professional application of fluoride varnish. Adjunctive use of bio-available calcium phosphates favours tooth repair and has shown impressive results in reducing hypersensitivity.
MI Paste Plus contains Recaldent (bio-available amorphous calcium phosphate) as well as fluoride (900 ppm). It can be used overnight to enhance tooth repair and reduce hypersensitivity, and is available in five flavours that increase patient acceptance.
MI Varnish contains 22600 ppm fluoride as well as Recaldent and is intended for in-office application. It adheres quickly to the teeth, without clumping and serves as a depot for minerals and fluoride, necessary to maintain or remedy the tooth integrity.
When Recaldent comes in contact with fluoride, it stabilises the fluoride ions to create the ideal source for building the more acid-resistant fluorapatite.