(b) At the conclusion of the gingivectomy, the dental specialist should be
certain the patient has been given postoperative instructions, medication or prescriptions,
and a reappointment. The dental specialist should observe the patient to be certain that
he can take care of himself, that the patient's clothes are arranged properly, and that the
patient's face is free of blood or other foreign material. The dental specialist will inform
the periodontist if any discrepancies exist.
(c) After dismissal of the patient, the instruments and suction hose and
tips should be soaked in a cool detergent solution for 10 minutes before scrubbing,
rinsing, and preparing for packaging and autoclaving.
4-4.
COMMON PERIODONTAL DUTIES
a. Oral Hygiene Instructions. Among other procedures to be performed by the
periodontic service are instructions to the patient on the proper maintenance of his mouth
(dental plaque control). This important phase of periodontal treatment often can be
referred to the dental specialist assisting the periodontist, when the specialist is properly
trained.
b. Emergency Treatments. Emergency treatments for incision and drainage of
periodontal abscesses, acute gingivitis, stomatitis and other causes of pain will be a part
of the activities of a routine day. For treating these emergencies, each periodontist
chooses the instruments and methods, all aimed at relieving the emergency situation and
then instituting definitive treatment.
Section II. ENDODONTIC INSTRUMENTS
4-5.
GENERAL
a. Endodontics.
(1) Two types of endodontic treatment. Endodontics is that branch of
dentistry which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the pulp and the
periapical tissues. A vital tooth is furnished with both a blood and nerve supply. When
the tooth is deprived of its blood and nerve supply through trauma or infection, it is
diseased and requires endodontic treatment. Endodontic treatment or therapy is of two
types--nonsurgical (also called conservative) and surgical. Conservative endodontic
therapy involves obturating the root canal or canals by gaining access through the crown
of the tooth. It also encompasses pulp capping, pulpotomy, and pulpectomy in
connection with restorative treatment. (Obturating refers to filling the entire root canal
completely and densely with a non-irritating, air-tight sealing agent.) Surgical endodontic
therapy involves gaining access to the root canals by removing the bone about the root
end of the tooth. Sometimes a portion of the root end is removed and prepared to accept
an amalgam filling.
MD0503
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