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Clinical Decision-Making in Caries Management: Role of Caries Detection and Diagnosis

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Detection and Assessment of Dental Caries

Abstract

Effective management of dental caries throughout the life course of an individual depends on an ongoing process that is characterized first by early detection and diagnosis of existing caries lesions at the tooth level, and then an assessment of caries activity and risk, both at the tooth and patient levels. This information, together with an understanding of the patient’s needs and desires, available evidence supporting treatment alternatives, and the dentist’s clinical expertise, can then be used to reach a clinical decision on effective strategies to use to control existing lesions and prevent occurrence of new caries lesions. The outcomes of these strategies need to be monitored over time, following the same process. This chapter will discuss general factors that need to be considered during clinical decision-making (i.e., evidence, patient, and dentist), specific factors related to caries lesion characteristics (i.e., lesion cavitation, cleansability, and activity), and overall risk that influence the decision-making process.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Margherita Fontana

  2. Department of Dentistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands

    Marie-Charlotte D. N. J. M. Huysmans

Authors
  1. Margherita Fontana
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  2. Marie-Charlotte D. N. J. M. Huysmans
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Correspondence to Margherita Fontana .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Comprehensive Care, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Andrea Ferreira Zandona

  2. King’s College London Dental Institute, London, UK

    Christopher Longbottom

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Fontana, M., Huysmans, MC.D.N.J.M. (2019). Clinical Decision-Making in Caries Management: Role of Caries Detection and Diagnosis. In: Ferreira Zandona, A., Longbottom, C. (eds) Detection and Assessment of Dental Caries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16967-1_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16967-1_23

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-16965-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-16967-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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