-
-
Course Syllabus
Tooth Erosion
Contact Hours: 5
Price: $50.00
Published: September 2006
Pages: 30
Course Description
The increasing number of children and adults diagnosed with dental erosion presents a clinical challenge to the dental practitioner.
This course describes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis and treatment of dental erosion. Erosion is the process by which tooth mineral is irreversibly lost due to the action of acid. This is a direct pH effect that occurs when the critical pH of dental enamel (< 5.5) is breached. All acids, whether from intrinsic (such as that produced by gastric acid reflux) or extrinsic sources (e.g. dietary such as yoghurt, pickles, soft drinks - especially sports drinks), are capable of demineralizing tooth enamel if they produce a pH at the enamel surface that is lower than the critical pH. The early signs of erosion are often difficult to diagnose and a definitive diagnosis may require long-term monitoring of the progression of tooth wear with study casts and photographs. Only preventive, provisional or temporary treatment should be given for erosion lesions until the causative condition is determined and treated and the erosion is controlled and stabilized.
In addition to erosion, there are other forms of non-caries destructive processes that result in a loss of tooth structure. These processes include abrasion, attrition and resorption. Destruction of tooth structure is almost never caused by a single process, as they often co-exist.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the participant should be able to:
- Describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of dental erosion
- Identify the behaviors that have been identified as "high risk" in the development of dental erosion
- Describe other common causes of tooth structure loss - Bruxism, Abrasion and Attrition, and their relevance to dental erosion
- Describe the clinical signs and symptoms of erosion
- Describe the host modifying factors that affect the development of erosion
- Apply appropriate dental clinical techniques in the management of dental erosion
About the Author
Anne P Dodds BDS, MPH, PhD.
Dr Dodds graduated from the University of Edinburgh Dental School and following
two years in a community dental practice moved to San Antonio Texas in 1987. She obtained an MPH at
the UTHSC- Houston and secured a teaching appointment at the UTHSC-San Antonio in the Dept of
Community Dentistry. She obtained a Certificate of Pediatric Dentistry from San Antonio in 2000 and PhD in
Cellular and Structural Biology in 2001. Since 2000 she has been a faculty member at the University of
North Carolina, Dept of Pediatric Dentistry where she has carried out research in early dental development
and treated patients in Dental Faculty Practice and UNC Hospital. She has been involved in AHEC and has
written dental continuing education classes for more than 10 years.
Testimonial"Please continue making online courses available--they are very convenient." |
Questions
E-mail: CESupport@DentalLearning.org
Call: 800-522-1207
