คุณหมอขอตอบ! อยากจัดฟันในช่วง Covid-19 จริงๆ แล้ว...ทำได้หรือไม่?

During the Covid-19 virus outbreak, dental treatments including orthodontics were limited. Many hospitals or dental clinics only provided treatment for emergency cases, and some clinics even closed for treatment altogether. As we move past the pandemic period and need to return to normal life, it is time to review safe treatment practices for patients free from Covid-19 and to build confidence for patients who are concerned about receiving treatment at hospitals.
<h2>Frequently Asked Question! Can you get braces during Covid-19?</h2>
The Department of Medical Services has provided guidelines for orthodontic dental treatment in cases of Emergency, Urgency, and Elective cases by considering appropriate protective measures to ensure patient safety. The key points are as follows:
<ol>
<li>Patients who need continuous adjustment of appliances as determined by the attending orthodontist, such as those undergoing continuous force application, Corticotomy patients, etc., both for fixed and removable orthodontic appliances.</li>
<li>Patients who need to have appliances placed, in cases where the oral cavity has already been prepared, such as tooth extraction for orthodontic purposes but force application has not yet started.</li>
<li>Patients who need to remove appliances, in cases where impressions have been taken to make retainers, or planning to take impressions for retainers in the next appointment but the appliance has come off while waiting for the appointment.</li>
</ol>
<h4></h4>
<h2>Risk Screening… Check before getting braces!</h2>
Screening for infection risk in patients before orthodontic treatment is an important step before the procedure. Screening can be done by questioning at least 1 day before the appointment to reduce the risk from the patient’s travel to the healthcare facility, by reviewing both the patient’s history and symptoms.
History
<ol>
<li>Have you traveled to or come from an area with an outbreak?</li>
<li>Do you have a family member diagnosed with COVID-19, or have you been in contact with a COVID-19 patient or respiratory secretions without proper protection?</li>
<li>Do you work in tourism, crowded places, or have contact with many people?</li>
<li>Have you been to community places or places with gatherings, such as markets, shopping malls, healthcare facilities, or public transportation?</li>
<li>Are you a healthcare worker who has been close to or in contact with COVID-19 patients?</li>
</ol>
Symptoms
<ol>
<li>Cough, sore throat, runny nose</li>
<li>Fever with a temperature of 37.5°C or higher</li>
<li>Loss of smell and taste</li>
<li>Headache, muscle pain</li>
<li>Shortness of breath/rapid breathing</li>
</ol>
If the patient’s history and symptoms indicate risk, the orthodontic appointment can be postponed and symptoms monitored for about 1 month. Patients can delay treatment for 1-2 months without affecting the overall treatment.
<h2>At risk of COVID-19 or under surveillance with emergency symptoms, what should you do?</h2>
The prognosis and disease progression will be better if the patient does not develop complications involving the heart and coronary arteries before and after treatment. After the fever subsides, blood-thinning medication (Aspirin) should be taken for about 60 days or until the coronary artery aneurysm returns to normal.
<ul>
<li>In case of wire poking the cheek, if it pierces soft tissue or causes chronic wounds, emergency treatment should be sought by informing the hospital of the COVID-19 risk so that appropriate patient care measures can be prepared. If the wire tip protrudes only slightly, it is recommended to use orthodontic wax provided by the orthodontist, shaped into a small ball and applied on the sharp wire to relieve symptoms.</li>
<li>Take good care of the appliances, avoid chewing hard or sticky foods to prevent orthodontic appliances from coming off, so treatment can continue smoothly when receiving care.</li>
<li>Brush teeth in the morning and before bed, as well as after every meal, using an orthodontic toothbrush, interdental brush, and dental floss.</li>
</ul>
We should be aware of the COVID-19 pandemic but not panic, to maintain a good quality of life in this New Normal era.
If we cooperate to keep ourselves healthy and follow the COVID-19 prevention guidelines, we can definitely overcome this crisis.
&nbsp;
Dr. Phonkor Burana Prasertsuk
Orthodontic Specialist
Dental Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital

During the ongoing Covid-19 virus situation, is it possible to get orthodontic treatment or are there any limitations? Here is the answer from a specialist orthodontist.

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Doctor's response! Wanting to get braces during Covid-19, can it really be done?

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