Cost-effectiveness of prevention of fractures and cracked teeth: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The treatment of caries at the initial stage of its development is the main factor in the prevention of cracked and fractured teeth, the detection of which increases dramatically during the treatment of caries complications. The financial consequences of delayed dental treatment for both the patient and the compulsory health insurance system have been insufficiently studied.

AIM: Economic justification of timely caries treatment as a factor in the prevention of cracked and fractured teeth.

METHODS: Based on statistical reports on the reasons for patient visits and the dental treatment methods used, the frequency of detection of cracked and fractured teeth was established depending on the initial treatment method and the frequency of subsequent tooth extractions over a five-year period. Taking these circumstances into account, total costs for the treatment and restoration of destroyed and lost teeth were calculated, depending on the primary treatment method and in comparison with the basic costs for the treatment of moderate caries.

RESULTS: The economic calculations performed confirm the clinical patterns regarding the effectiveness of early caries treatment and timely replacement of dental hard tissue defects, because (taking into account the probability of cracked teeth and tooth extractions with a five-year prognosis) an increase in the cost of all types of treatment was found, both compared to the initial cost and the present cost of treatment over this period relative to the cost of treating moderate caries.

The calculated degree of cost increase associated with progressive tooth destruction due to delayed caries treatment, expressed as a ranked series of treatment types, increases patient motivation for early treatment during the planning of dental rehabilitation procedures.

CONCLUSION: Timely caries treatment as a method of preventing cracked and fractured teeth is characterized by high clinical effectiveness and economic feasibility. Subsequent types of tooth treatment and restoration resulting from destruction of its constituent structures and from an increased probability of fractures and cracks significantly increase the cost of necessary treatment over five years compared to initial treatment, and compared to the cost over this period for initial treatment of moderate caries.