With the COVID-19 coronavirus still spreading wildly around many parts of the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new directives for keeping people safe during this dangerous and sometimes deadly pandemic.
Recently, WHO issued guidelines for dental practices during the pandemic, stating that dental practices should restrict care to emergency and urgent services only. But many dental professionals across the globe disagree.
The problem with waiting until dental issues are urgent or emergencies is that they could be a lot worse than if they had been taken care of prior to them becoming an emergency. Fillings could turn into root canals, and infection could easily spread, worsening pain and damage.
But what about cosmetic work? The World Health Organization also suggests putting off cosmetic dentistry procedures during the pandemic, however with proper safety protocols in place, cosmetic dentistry can be performed safely. This is especially important for those who are already undergoing full mouth reconstruction procedures, as these procedures often must be completed on a stringent timeline for maximum effectiveness.
Dental Implants
Dental implants should be installed on a specific timeline that allows for the healing of the jaw from tooth removal and for the teeth to be installed before jaw degradation can occur
Braces
If you have braces, minor adjustments must be made to keep your treatment on schedule. While avoiding these adjustments during quarantine won’t damage your teeth, it could slow the progress and timeline of your full mouth restoration process.
Veneers
While veneers are an exciting part of any cosmetic dentistry program, if you are feeling uncomfortable about visiting your dental practice, veneers are certainly something that can wait until the coronavirus is better contained.
Regular Exams and Cleanings
While WHO recommends waiting to undergo exams and cleanings, we recommend you keep these important appointments as they could reveal damage to the teeth and gums you may not be aware is occurring in your mouth. If you are at all nervous about attending your appointment, speak with the staff at Dr. Mingus’ office for the latest information about what we’re doing to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. We can be reached at 541-382-6565.