Expand your offerings, manage high caries-risk patients and earn patient confidence

This course will focus on effective management of patients with high caries-risk. This course will describe the effective use of the MI paste family of products, dry mouth gels and glass ionomer materials to manage high caries-risk patients with restorations that are well retained and have no post-operative sensitivity.

The baby boomer generation is 61-79 years old this year and a large proportion of this cohort has extensive crown and bridge work in their mouths.  Most boomers are also on medications that result in dry mouth. The risk for recurrent caries goes up logarithmically in a dry mouth with existing dental restorations. Restorative materials with good handling properties that lend themselves to sub-gingival use and save precious chair time as well as dentifrices or gels that inhibit recurrent caries are invaluable tools in a modern family dental practice.

This course will focus on effective management of patients with high caries-risk. Gels and dentifrices which inhibit caries are essential to maintain restorations in a high-risk environment. Dispensing these gels and/or dentifrices from the office ensures patient compliance and has the fringe benefit of building patient confidence and trust as patients appreciate the provider’s interest in preventing future caries, not just in restoring present disease.

Glass ionomers are the only restorative materials commercially available and in wide use that are suitable for sub-gingival situations and restoration of root caries. They release fluoride reliably and bond chemically to dentin and enamel. Their most valuable properties include their setting characteristics and thermal coefficient of expansion which is similar to that of dentin and enamel.

This course will describe the effective use of the MI paste family of products, dry mouth gels and glass ionomer materials to manage high caries-risk patients with restorations that are well retained and have no post-operative sensitivity. A practice that offers these restorative and management options can provide effective and reliable care to high caries-risk patients including the baby boomer generation, older adults, kids and patients with special needs and earn their trust.