39
Volume1 Issue2
|
S
upporting
Y
our
P
ractice
This articlewasoriginallycreated for
the JCDAOasis searchabledatabase.
VisitOasisHelpat
toaccess this andother point of care
clinical consults.
MANAGINGBLEEDING
under, or adjacent to, a dental prosthesis
Oasis Point ofCare
Acute or chronic bleeding of the oral tissues directly
under, or adjacent to, a fixed or removable dental
prosthesis.
Presentation
Population
•
Elders
•
Peoplewith xerostomia
•
Peoplewith thin tissues
•
Peoplewithcompromisedmanual dexterityorwho receive
inappropriatedental care fromacaregiver
•
Peoplewith special needs
RiskFactors
•
Long-termprosthesiswear
•
Nutritional deficiencies
•
Hormonal discrepancies
Signs
•
Bleedinguponexaminationor in response toprobingormovement
of theprosthesis
•
Erythemaand/or edema
•
Localizedpain
•
Tasteof blood
•
Swelling
•
Alteredprosthesis fit
Symptoms
•
Mayormaynot be symptomatic
•
Sore topalpationandprosthesispressure; avoidance towearing the
prosthesis
Investigation
1.
Question thepatient about theirmedical anddental history.
•
How longhaveyounoticedbleedingand/or discomfort?
•
Where is thebleedingcoming from?Please showmewithyour finger.
•
Is therea timewhen thebleeding isworse (e.g.,wheneatingor
wakingup in themorning)?
•
Doyouwear theprosthesis at night?
•
Doyougrindyour teeth?
•
Howold is theprosthesis?
•
Howdoyouclean theprosthesis?Howdoyoucleanyour teeth?
CherylCable,
BSc,DDS,MBA,
FRCD(C)
Dr.Cable is a
prosthodontist and
associate professor in
restorative dentistry,
University ofAlberta,
Edmonton. She also
practices prosthodontics
andmaxillofacial
prosthodontics atEmpire
DentalAssociates in
Edmonton.
The author has no
declared financial
interests.
This article has been peer
reviewed.
DentalEmergency
Scenario
