Management of Hepatitis Patients in Prosthodontics – An Epigrammatic Review

1.     ABSTRACT

Hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease that is mostly caused by viral infections (A, B, C, D, E). It makes dental work very difficult since it can spread easily, cause bleeding, and change how drugs are broken down in the body.  To run a successful general dentistry and prosthodontics practice, you must follow all universal measures, such as wearing personal protective equipment, sterilizing tools, and using disposable things to keep cross-contamination to a minimum.  In general dentistry, patients with acute hepatitis (e.g., HAV, HEV) should only receive emergency care. Patients with chronic HBV and HCV, on the other hand, need a full medical evaluation of their liver function and coagulation status before any procedures.  Because prosthodontic treatments like fixed restorations (crowns and bridges) and implants are intrusive, they need extra care.  These include checking for bleeding hazards, utilizing hemostatic medicines, taking digital impressions to lower exposure, and not using nephrotoxic drugs like NSAIDs in long-term instances.  Patients with liver problems may need longer healing times after getting implants to make sure that the bones grow together.  Patients with HBV and HCV are given extra care because they are very contagious and likely to have problems like cirrhosis.  It is very important for staff to get vaccinated against HBV and to follow post-exposure measures.  Teaching patients about good oral hygiene is important to keep infections from happening around restorations.  This article talks about evidence-based guidelines that can help hepatitis patients get safe and effective dental care. It focuses on infection prevention and establishing a treatment plan that fits the patient's needs.

KEY WORDS: Hepatitis, Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Infection Control, Fixed Restorations, Dental Implants, Bleeding Risk..