title: Demolition experts: management of the parafunctional patient: 1. Diagnosis and prevention.
abstract: The first part of this paper discusses the clinical problems associated with providing predictable restorative dental care for parafunctional patients. The identification of patients with this problem is important, as is patient understanding and the optimization of preventive approaches, all of which are considered. In the second part, restorative strategies will be presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parafunctional patients need to understand the difficulties associated with managing their problem. The preservation of tooth tissue is of paramount importance to ensure long-term success.
authors.affiliation: Guy's, King's and St Thomas' Dental Institute and St George's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Poyser
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kelleher
mesh_terms: D002012:Bruxism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D019217:Tooth Attrition / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*