KARACHI, Nov 24: Dental preventive services should ideally be carried out at an early stage, Dr Munawar Rahman, consultant dental surgeon at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), said.

He was speaking at a seminar on dental health held on Friday at AKUH Clifton Medical Services. In his presentation on 'Infection control in dental surgery', he explained that deep pits, fissures and grooves might lead to development of cavities.

Dr Rahman said that dental sealants, which were either tooth coloured or transparent composite filling materials, effectively prevented development of cavities.

He also emphasised the importance of daily home care by brushing and flossing. Dr Rahman explained that root canal treatment was carried out to save and retain a tooth in which the nerve component becomes infected or otherwise involved due to tooth decay or other injury.

He gave a detailed explanation of this dental procedure carried out at a success rate of 90 to 95 per cent. He asserted that it was better to save and restore teeth than to extract them.

Dr Azfar A. Siddiqui, associate professor and head of the section of Dentistry at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), speaking earlier on 'Artificial teeth from dentures to dental implants', explained that dental prosthetics was both an art and a science of restoring and improving existing teeth.

He explained the various types of dental prostheses: removable, partial and complete dentures, used to restore and improve function and aesthetics.

He further highlighted the latest innovations in dental implants relating to replacement of missing teeth.

Dr Mubassar Fida, assistant professor and director, Orthodontics Residency Programme at the AKUH, spoke on 'A good smile is for life'.

He defined orthodontics, which was related to the recognition, prevention, interception and comprehensive treatment of misaligned teeth.

The purpose is to achieve the best possible smile and improve facial appearance, he added.—PPI