Tooth conservation treatments
Damaged teeth, caries can often be saved, both functionally as aesthetically, no removal will be necessary.
Aesthetic fillings are available since the 1960’s, the earlier generally used amalgam could thus be totally avoided. The filling material ensures reinforcement and wear resistance to the soft dentine. There are several colour shades available. Thus – by their introduction in successive layers – the dentist will be able to ensure perfect colour match. Firs the shade closest to the dentin’s colour is introduced, followed by more and more transparent layers. The last external layer will be consisted of the so-called dental enamel. This procedure shall enable fillings in exquisite harmony to the natural colour of the tooth.
Root treatments are needed in cases of dental pulp inflammation, caused by bacterial infestation of the deep caries. Such treatments involve removal of the content of the root channel. The length of the channel is precisely determined by the instrument called Apex Locator. The channel is widened by hand or by special instruments. To make it painless, the intervention is performed under local anaesthesia. In the first occasion, the caries is provisionally filled by anti-inflammatory paste; root filling will be only done on symptomless teeth. If necessary for strengthening, after root treatment the tooth shall be reinforced by a special pin. Finally the crown of the tooth shall be reconstructed by filling, inlays/onlays, if needed covered by an artificial crown.
Inlays/onlays are special solid fillings made in the dentist’s technical laboratory, to replace missing tooth tissues, restoring the anatomic form, and functionality of the tooth. The life span of well-made such inserts is a multiple compared to that of traditional fillings. Inlays are especially recommended for large caries, vicinal to the neighbour teeth. Replacement of earlier large fillings is also recommendable. As they are made in the laboratory, rather than in the patient’s mouth, better physical properties, functionality and durability is possible.
The following materials can be used for inlays:
- porcelain
- plastics (Gradia)
- or gold
With porcelain or plastic inlays nearly perfect aesthetic look and tooth rehabilitation (corners and slopes) can be obtained.
Golden inlays have a rather different colour as the tooth, but their excellent quality makes them in many cases preferred, today too.
