Dental reconstruction is a procedure with which we can repair damaged teeth and can be applied to single or multiple teeth. In addition, these dental reconstructions may include restorations of the jaw or tissue damaged by periodontal disease.
Thus, this term is broad in that it has multiple applications, i.e., there are many alternatives for restoring the damaged area of the teeth, depending on the origin of the problem, as we will see below:
The presence of lesions in our teeth due to caries can be solved by means of a composite (resin) reconstruction, also known as filling. It is a common procedure, almost always performed under anesthesia.
After root canal treatment of the tooth root, which is usually carried out due to a very large loss of dental tissue for different reasons, we usually perform a reconstruction of the endodontic tooth even if a crown or ceramic inlay is subsequently made.
This reconstruction may also require the placement of a fiberglass post inside one of the roots in order to retain the large reconstruction to be performed. The placement or not of this intraoral element will be decided by the dentist according to the case and the needs.
When we want to improve the esthetics of the front teeth (what we call anterior teeth), whether it is shape, color or even position, we can perform esthetic reconstructions. These reconstructions are commonly referred to as resin veneers, but they can also be used to close spaces, improve certain angles or fractures of the teeth. These are minimally invasive procedures that sometimes do not even require anesthesia.
Dental fractures can occur in any tooth in the mouth. Depending on the size of the fracture, treatment can range from extraction, endodontics or simply a reconstruction of the tooth with resin, thus returning the tooth to its full anatomy and functionality.
The term dental wear is very broad. In principle, we usually associate it with the loss of dental tissue mainly due to clenching or grinding of the teeth, a habit known as bruxism. In these cases, although it is possible to perform a dental reconstruction of the damaged tissue, it should be taken into account that if the origin of the problem is not solved, fractures and wear will continue to occur. Therefore, in addition to this procedure, it would be necessary to treat the problem with dental splints to protect the teeth and gums against this dental clenching.
Due to the bruxism habit, the patient may also suffer abfractions. Dental abfractions are losses of part of the enamel at the most fragile point of the tooth, which is where the crown ends and the root begins, known as the neck. These lesions due to loss of dental tissue can be solved by means of resin reconstruction, returning the tooth to its anatomy.
It is important to remember that wear and tear and abfractions due to bruxism are not controllable, and we will always recommend the above-mentioned splints to prevent them. In the case of wear due to erosion, chemical agents, or abrasion, mechanical agents, dietary and behavioural guidelines would simply be given.
When performing an oral rehabilitation of one or both arches, we can also employ reconstructions within our treatment plan. As mentioned before, these reconstructions can be used to improve aesthetics, close spaces or even increase the height of some teeth.
In summary, dental reconstructions have multiple therapeutic indications, which are increased thanks to the great versatility of presentations they offer; on the other hand, as they are materials whose retention is obtained by adhesive technique, the preservation of the dental structure is great.
However, it should be remembered that these materials are very sensitive to the technique, so the specialist must control aspects such as a correct indication, good isolation of the teeth when performing the procedure, the selection of a resin suitable for each circumstance, the use of a good adhesion procedure to the dental tissues, and a correct technique and knowledge to achieve satisfactory results in the long term. For this reason, do not hesitate to ask your specialist for more information.
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