This blog discusses how clinicians can empower patients to actively safeguard their restorations by:

  • Reinforcing consistent home-care practices
  • Encouraging routine dental visits
  • Guiding patients toward healthier diets
  • Addressing parafunctional habits
  • Providing clear maintenance instructions

 

The longevity of dental restorations relies not only on the skills of the clinician but also on the habits of the patient and the care they show in maintaining the restoration. By integrating several simple strategies into patient interactions, clinicians can help patients understand that proper care is key to maximizing their investment in their oral health.

 

Emphasize Consistent Oral Hygiene Practices

Daily brushing and flossing can help prevent plaque buildup around restorations, which can lead to secondary caries and compromise the restoration’s integrity. Reinforce proper brushing techniques and encourage patients to use a fluoride toothpaste to maintain both natural teeth and restorations. 

“Most people are sick of hearing their dentist and hygienist discuss brushing and flossing,” says Dr. Brett Richins, Ultradent clinical affairs director. “But, in my experience, the most common reasons for a restoration needing to be replaced are recurrent decay or a broken restoration.”

 

Advocate for Regular Dental Checkups

Regular cleanings and exams allow you to detect marginal leakage or wear early, enabling timely interventions like minor repairs. Though there are many factors at play, research shows restorations that are maintained with minor repairs are less likely to need more aggressive treatment down the road.1

“If a patient has a high risk for caries, we will recommend more frequent cleanings to prolong the quality of their restorations and ensure they have healthy teeth,” says Dr. Richins.

 

Discuss Dietary Considerations

“We always recommend a good diet and hygiene after the patient goes home with a new restoration,” says Dr. Richins, emphasizing the impact of diet on restoration durability.

Breakage or decay can contribute to restoration failure and are often linked to poor diets. Encourage your patients to limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages that can erode restorative materials and natural teeth, and to consume calcium and vitamin D to support long-term oral health.

 

Address Parafunctional Habits

Habits like bruxism exert excessive force on restorations, causing fractures or failures. One study showed 8.6% of survey respondents regularly grind their teeth in their sleep, while 13.7% said they grind their teeth in their sleep on occasion.2

“For patients who clench or grind their teeth, we will have them in a night guard or retainer to prevent further wear or damage to the restorations,” says Dr. Richins.

 

Educate on the Importance of Restoration Maintenance

Instruct patients on how to care for their crown, bridge, or composite filling. Discuss how to identify signs of potential problems and encourage patients to seek timely care to address issues.

 

Support Long-Term Success Through Proactive Communication

Protecting the longevity of dental restorations starts in the dental office and ultimately depends on the patient’s daily habits and long-term commitment to oral health.

 

These conversations help patients understand the value of their investment and strengthen their role in preserving it.

 

References

  1. Gordan VV, Riley JL 3rd, Rindal DB, et al. Repair or replacement of restorations: A prospective cohort study by dentists in The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. J Am Dent Assoc. 2015;146(12):895-903. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2015.05.017
  1. Khoury S, Carra MC, Huynh N, Montplaisir J, et al. Sleep bruxism-tooth grinding prevalence, characteristics and familial aggregation: A large cross-sectional survey and polysomnographic validation. Sleep. 2016; 39(11):2049-2056. doi:10.5665/sleep.6242