Modern dentistry technologies make it possible to save a tooth even if it is severely damaged.
Dentist Timur Basyrov explained under what conditions a damaged tooth can be saved: dental restoration.
There are several reasons for tooth damage. It could be advanced caries or an unfortunate fall. The integrity of the dental row is not only a health issue, but also an aesthetic one.
Tooth decay
For the health of the dental system, it is important that all teeth are in place. If there is insufficient integrity, the chewing load will be unevenly distributed.
In this case, the remaining teeth will begin to bear the greatest load, and therefore they may be destroyed.
Teeth do not decay just like that, there are genetic problems, mechanical damage, and also insufficient oral hygiene. Let's take a closer look at the causes of damage that lead to tooth decay.
Caries
This is the most common disease that affects the hard tissues of the tooth. It develops due to poor hygiene. Plaque, in which microorganisms begin to develop, is formed due to food debris. Enamel is destroyed due to the acid secreted by bacteria.
Mechanical damage and dental trauma
Teeth are damaged as a result of trauma. These include cracks and chips. They also include bruises, fractures, dislocations and improperly installed fillings.
Enamel abrasion, that is, wear of enamel due to the consumption of sweet drinks or a foreign body, also refers to mechanical damage.
Enamel defects
Over time, teeth can wear down, losing their natural appearance. In this case, restoration can be performed to prevent further decay and return the tooth to its original appearance.
Top 5 Causes of Tooth Decay
Teeth can be destroyed due to congenital or acquired reasons. Enamel destruction is the main factor influencing tooth damage.
- Gnawing on something hard. The habit of gnawing on seeds or pens leads to thinning of the enamel. In the future, you can chip a tooth or wear down the top layer of the tooth.
- Accidental injuries. Falling on ice, playing sports, life-threatening situations. This leads to bruised teeth, chips and, as a result, further restoration.
- Untimely replacement of crowns or fillings. Fallen materials and lack of prompt restoration can affect the health of the tooth and worsen its condition.
- Bad habits and poor nutrition. Tobacco smoke from smoking gets into the mouth and causes plaque formation, and alcohol has a negative effect on nerve endings.
Microcirculation of blood in the gums is also disrupted. Unbalanced nutrition, in turn, leads to metabolic disorders and a lack of useful vitamins for the health of teeth and the whole body. - Incorrect or insufficient oral hygiene. To keep your teeth healthy, you need to brush them thoroughly and correctly, and remove plaque regularly.
It is important to use auxiliary tools: an irrigator, dental floss, massage the gums, and also choose the right tools for oral care.
Methods of restoration of damaged teeth
Restoring a tooth depends on the condition and the problem you are facing. In their practice, dentists use the index of destruction of the occlusal surface of the tooth.
Based on certain indicators and calculations, the dentist understands which method should be used for restoration: a filling, a crown or a pin.
There are two methods of restoration: direct and indirect. In the first case, materials are applied directly in the dentist's office, in the second case, impressions are taken, and the structures are made in a dental laboratory.
Here are some popular methods of tooth restoration.
Filling
The process involves removing caries or other dental treatment (periodontitis, pulpitis, etc.) and filling the cavity with a filling. Various materials are used: amalgam, composite materials, fiberglass inlays, and light-curing materials.
Crown
If the tooth is damaged or has significant tissue loss, a crown may be needed. A crown is an artificial cap that covers the surface of the tooth, giving it shape and restoring chewing function.
Materials such as ceramics, zirconium, acrylic, plastic and metal can be used. Each of them has its own pros and cons, as well as service life. Before installing a crown, it is worth consulting with an orthopedic dentist.
Veneers
Thin but strong composite or ceramic overlays that are glued on. They are mainly used to improve aesthetics.
But they are also suitable for dental restoration, because their service life in some cases is longer than that of materials. Veneers mask chips and abrasions on teeth.
It is important to remember that installing veneers is an irreversible procedure. The teeth are prepared - ground down by several millimeters to create space for them in the dental row. Veneers are made by a dental technician and then installed.
If you do not want to wait for several weeks, you can choose composite veneers for restoration. The dentist makes composite veneers immediately on the spot, along with grinding and subsequent polishing of the veneer.
Composite restoration
The dentist uses photopolymer for restoration. This method does not require grinding the tooth, therefore, living tissues are not injured. This procedure is suitable for chips and scratches on the enamel.
Implants
To replace a lost tooth or a tooth that cannot be restored, your dentist may recommend an implant. This is a metal pin that is placed into the bone, onto which a crown is then placed.
There is one- and two-stage implantation. In the first case, the pin and crown are installed alternately on the same day, in the second case, the font is installed, and within a month or two, the desired crown is made, which is later installed by an orthopedist.
In rare cases, sinus lifting – bone tissue augmentation – is used for further restoration.
Osteoplasty is necessary in cases where the patient has avoided partial or complete prosthetics for a long time.
This increases the load on the jaw and atrophy occurs. Most often, such an operation occurs before implantation and complete prosthetics such as All-on-4. In some cases, bone grafting is performed during root canal treatment.
A font is placed in place of the vascular-nerve bundle, and the remaining space is sealed.
The decision on the possibility of tooth restoration is made by the dentist after examination and study of the X-ray. Each case requires an individual approach and selection of appropriate restoration methods.
Modern dentistry allows you to choose a gentle method of dental restoration for any problem.
Expert: Timur Basyrov
