Abstract
Although the number of children with caries has recently decreased, many cases with severe dental caries are still encountered, with social factors significantly related to this incongruity in caries patterns. Since the environment surrounding a child can be complex, parents may have little time to check the oral health of their children.In the present study, we report treatment of a case of severe dental caries starting in early childhood and long-term oral management until the completion of permanent dentition. At the first visit, the biomedical factors (i.e., oral hygiene, eating habits) of the patient were deteriorated due to social factors. In spite of treatment to improve the intraoral environment, caries risk remained elevated. We performed oral management and space maintenance by tooth alignment while taking into account lifestyle factors. Consequently, we were able to prevent caries and malalignment of teeth, and guide to a healthy oral environment and dentition. This comprehensive long-term management strategy in childhood was effective.It is very important for pediatric dentists to urge that children maintain good oral health from a medium- and long-term perspective while monitoring social and biomedical factors.
