Dental treatment planning constitutes one of the most important stages of treatment. Dental treatment is often a complex and long-lasting process and its objective is to achieve oral health and effective functioning of the entire stomatognathic system. The issue of high aesthetics of the smile is not without significance. In order to achieve the intended purpose of the treatment it is necessary to determine its scope, costs and expectations of the patient with regard to the final result. The treatment plan defines an individual, detailed and comprehensive schedule of the procedures. It specifies the scope of work necessary to achieve the condition of complete healing of teeth and surrounding tissues.
Treatment planning
FROM THE FIRST MEETING TO A HEALTHY SMILE,
I. E. THE PATIENT’S PATH AT THE CLINIC
General consultation appointment
A consultation appointment is crucial in planning. During this appointment we perform the necessary examinations: an objective medical examination (the so-called interview) aiming at assessment of the health condition of the patient and we analyse the Health Condition Questionnaire filled in by the patient. Furthermore, the patient undergoes a physical examination, during which we assess hygiene, condition of the periodontium, gums, oral mucosa, determine the presence of missing teeth and examine the temporomandibular joint. If necessary, we perform or order additional examinations.
Specialist consultation appointment
A specialist consultation is intended for patients with missing teeth or significant defects in hard dental tissue that cannot be restored through conservative treatment (e.g. filling the defect with composite material). The objective of the specialist consultation is to collect – by a dentist responsible for treatment – as much information as possible necessary to prepare a comprehensive treatment plan to restore the natural chewing function. Usually, at the end of the consultation appointment, the dentist responsible for treatment will provide the patient with a treatment plan. However, it may happen that in order to develop a comprehensive treatment plan, the following will be necessary: an additional consultation appointment, the Clinic medical staff conference or still unavailable results of the additional examinations. In such situations, the treatment plan will be presented at a later date.
Examinations
Radiological OPG examination (orthopantomography) is a basic examination aimed at radiological assessment of the condition of the stomatognathic system. It may be replaced by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) if it involves the maxilla and mandible.
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Computed tomography – the most precise radiological examination in 3D. Pursuant to the guidelines consistent with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) rule, in the event of planning the multi-specialisation treatment, it is possible to perform one CBCT examination of the maxilla and mandible at the initial diagnostic stage since it provides all specialists (implant surgeon, prosthodontist, orthodontist, periodontist, endodontist) with the necessary information. The CBCT examination should be mandatory in the event of implant treatment planning. It enables a very precise assessment of the quantity and quality of the bone in the implantation area as well as allows determination of the position of the adjacent teeth (distances between the roots of the adjacent teeth) and important anatomical structures (e.g. neurovascular bundles, maxillary sinuses, nasal cavity). Thanks to this examination it is also possible to assess the condition of the dentition, the number of teeth, condition of the hard dental tissues (e.g. diagnose caries), presence of the inflammatory changes in the bone, including periapical lesions as well as it allows for assessment of the condition of periodontium and detection of the conditions, such as: parodontosis, and this – in turn – significantly influences planning of implant treatment.
3D technologies – Scanning
Scanning with TRIOS 3SHAPE scanner allows for non-contact taking of the virtual impression of teeth and soft tissues in the oral cavity. It is completely painless, harmless, fast and precise. Thanks to scanning we obtain an accurate image of the patient’s dentition. (MORE)
Digital taking of the impression is invaluable in patients suffering from, among others, vomiting reflex appearing during the process of taking the impression with an impression tray. Scanning can be interrupted at any time and then resumed at a time convenient to the patient. We recommend scanning the dental arches with an intra-oral scanner as early as during the first appointments at the Clinic since the files obtained this way constitute invaluable documentation in the event of loss of natural teeth and intention of obtaining their ideal imitation with the use of prosthetic treatment.
Virtual implantation
The Implant Studio Planner software that the Wichlińscy Dental Clinic has at its disposal, enables to conduct a ‘virtual implantation’. Thanks to this tool, an implantologist is able to determine the type of the dental implant and its position even before the procedure more accurately. This is particularly important in the process of implantoprosthetic treatment since it determines the success of the next stage of the treatment, i.e. the precision of the prosthetic work. (MORE)
Professional
hygienisation of the oral hygiene
One of the forms of preventing oral cavity diseases is hygienisation, i.e. performing scaling, sandblasting, polishing and fluoridation. Why is hygienisation, especially scaling, so important before the beginning of the treatment? Since their performance increases effectiveness of the treatment by eliminating harmful microorganisms from the oral cavity. After the treatment, the hygienist conducts hygiene instruction with the patient. The patient’s care for proper oral hygiene has a significant impact on the success of the treatment. The hygienist helps to choose the proper products for cleaning teeth and caring for the oral cavity. At the Wichlińscy Dental Clinic, procedures of professional hygienisation of the oral cavity are performed exclusively by certified hygienists. In order to reduce the chances of developing diseases within the oral cavity, we recommend regular hygienisation procedures to our patients – usually every 6 months.
Beginning of
the treatment
according to
the established
plan and assistance
of the Patient’s Supervisor
We proceed to the process of implementation of the established treatment plan. We establish a schedule of the dental appointments. The treatment process at the Clinic is supported by a Patient’s Supervisor. This person offers emotional support, answers to questions about treatment and financing to the patients. The Patient’s Supervisor coordinates dental appointments. Patients may contact the Patient’s Supervisor at each stage of the treatment.
