Ignoring parafunction risk (no occlusal guard planning)
What it is
Placing or extensively rebuilding restorations in a patient with parafunction — especially bruxism/clenching — without: • Recognizing the risk (history + signs), and • Planning protection (e.g., night guard/occlusal splint, occlusal design/material choices, and follow-up). Bruxism is consistently described as a risk factor for failure of dental restorations because of increased/abnormal occlusal forces.
Why it happens
• Bruxism not screened: no targeted history (grinding/clenching, morning jaw fatigue/headache), and signs (wear facets, fractures, linea alba, masseter hypertrophy) are missed. • Assuming "a filling is just a filling": not adjusting the plan for high-load patients, even though bruxism is linked to higher restoration complications/failures. • No risk-based aftercare: no guard discussion, no recall to check early wear, marginal breakdown, or fractures.
The full clinical mistake entry includes
- How to avoid it — the prevention protocol
- The clinical tip experienced clinicians use
- The documented reference behind the mistake
More clinical mistakes
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