Abstract
Assessing the complexity of a case is a challenging exercise, with many tooth-specific as well as patient-specific considerations required. This decision is not made in isolation but goes hand in hand with the assessment of restorability, as well as strategic importance, both of which have been covered by the previous papers in this series. A number of guidelines regarding this matter have been devised in order to aid clinicians in determining the complexity of their patients and thus the most appropriate setting for their treatment. This paper aims to discuss the various complexity criteria available and their application, thus aiding clinicians in managing some of the more challenging cases.
Key points
-
Summarises the complexity criteria available for clinical use.
-
Aids clinicians in determining the complexity of their patients.
-
Allows clinicians to determine the appropriate treatment setting for patients.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Zlatarić D K, Celebić A, Valentić-Peruzović M. The effect of removable partial dentures on periodontal health of abutment and non-abutment teeth. J Periodontol 2002; 73: 137-144.
UK Government. Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention. 2014. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention (accessed February 2021).
British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry. Healthy Gums Do Matter! 2019. Available at https://www.bsperio.org.uk/news/health-gums-do-matter (accessed February 2021).
Sanz M, Herrera D, Kebschull M et al. Treatment of stage I-III periodontitis - The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. J Clin Periodontol 2020; DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13290.
Heitz-Mayfield L J A, Trombelli L, Heitz F, Needleman I, Moles D. A systematic review of the effect of surgical debridement vs non-surgical debridement for the treatment of chronic periodontitis. J Clin Periodontol 2002; DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-051x.29.s3.5.x.
British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry. BSP Guidelines for Periodontal Referral. 2020. Available at https://www.bsperio.org.uk/assets/downloads/BSP_Guidelines_for_Patient_Referral_2020.pdf (accessed February 2021).
NHS England. Commissioning Standard for Restorative Dentistry. 2019. Available at https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/commissioning-standard-for-restorative-dentistry/ (accessed February 2021).
Oates T W, Dowell S, Robinson M, McMahan C A. Glycaemic control and implant stabilization in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Dent Res 2009; 88: 367-371.
Aguilar-Salvatierra A, Calvo-Guirado J L, González-Jaranay M, Moreu G, Delgado-Ruiz R A, Gómez-Moreno G. Peri-implant evaluation of immediately loaded implants placed in esthetic zone in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2: a two-year study. Clin Oral Implants Res 2016; 27: 156-161.
Daubert D M, Weinstein B F, Bordin S, Leroux B G, Flemming T F. Prevalence and predictive factors for peri-implant disease and implant failure: a cross-sectional analysis. J Periodontol 2015; 86: 337-347.
Naujokat H, Kunzendorf B, Wiltfang J. Dental implants and diabetes mellitus - a systematic review. Int J Implant Dent 2016; 2: 5.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Reem Ahmed, Jacob Watts, Don S. Jayawardena, Joanne Cunliffe and James Darcey all contributed to the literature search, the writing and drafting of the manuscript, as well as subsequent revisions.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ahmed, R., Watts, J., Jayawardena, D. et al. Considerations for restorative dentistry secondary care referrals - part 3: assessment of case complexity. Br Dent J 233, 202–210 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-4549-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-4549-3
This article is cited by
-
Restorative dentistry clinical decision-making for hypodontia: complex cases
British Dental Journal (2023)