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Tooth reconstruction is, unfortunately, sometimes a necessity, even despite taking care of the teeth. Huge possibilities, including toothpastes, electric brushes and preparations that allow you to maintain high level of oral hygiene, are not always enough. Despite this, we cannot prevent tooth decay one hundred percent. If necessary, the dentist can rebuild the tooth with special materials.
Tooth reconstruction methods
Tooth damage can be bothersome for aesthetic reasons, but also purely practical. It happens that significant tissue damage is a prerequisite for tooth extraction. This may not always be the only option. If a sufficient amount of tooth tissue that is suitable for dental preparation is preserved, it becomes possible to rebuild the tooth.
Dentistry offers various methods of tooth reconstruction, and it depends on the condition of the tooth and the doctor which one to choose. One thing is certain, a tooth reconstruction is performed when it is no longer possible to fill (seal), or when it is possible to significantly improve the appearance of the teeth in this way. It must be admitted that the materials used today to rebuild the teeth are very durable, do not discolor or cause allergies. They are selected depending on the degree of tooth damage and their position.
Patient expectations are also taken into account. Getting a Hollywood smile in your office is possible, but also quite expensive. Modern dentistry offers several ways to save broken or chipped teeth. Popular methods include veneers (thin overlays glued to the surface of the teeth), crowns (prosthetic restoration of more damaged teeth), and glass fiber inlays (usually used in root canal treated teeth). Composite and porcelain are among the popular materials used to rebuild the tooth.
Tooth reconstruction – composite made of specialized resin
Tooth reconstruction with a composite is also called bonding. It is a method that can be used in various cases and perhaps that is why it is called a universal method in the dental environment. Its unquestionable advantage is that it does not cost too much, and the restoration itself can be done relatively quickly. Bonding also effectively improves the appearance of the teeth, which definitely improves the smile. The teeth are rebuilt using a composite made of a special resin. The material adheres perfectly to the rest of the tooth, but can only be used where there is no sign of caries. This method is very popular because it is not troublesome for the dentist or the patient.
If the reconstruction of a damaged tooth is possible, then extraction can be avoided.
Composite filling is non-invasive method of tooth reconstruction. As a rule, during the procedure, minimal preparation of the tooth residue is required, and the enamel should be etched on its surface. A very mild acid is used for this. Then, fill the cavities with composite resin and make the final composite application. When the damage to the teeth is large, porcelain veneers are placed on the liquid resin.
- Also read: Veneers – what do you need to know about them?
The price of a tooth reconstruction with a composite varies from 130 to 300 PLN. The cost of reconstructing one tooth depends on the office and the complexity of the problem.
Tooth reconstruction – root canal treatment
Many people remember perfectly well that teeth after root canal treatment are extremely susceptible to any damage. It is not surprising, because it is already a dead structure, and the teeth themselves are simply empty inside. After all, in the course of treatment, most often all hard and soft tissues are removed from the inside, and the outer walls of the tooth, if they exist, are very fragile. In such a situation, it turns out to be necessary to rebuild such a tooth, because it will prevent mechanical damage, as well as re-infection of the canals.
If the walls of the tooth still exist, the tooth can only be filled with a composite. However, if the root is very weak, it must be done composite housingbut on fiberglass. Sometimes, however, the tooth is in a very poor condition. Then, the reconstruction is performed with a composite material, but the execution is commissioned to a prosthetic laboratory. This type of housing is nothing more than an inlay / onlay, for which it is necessary to obtain an impression from the patient.
Tooth reconstruction – fiberglass
Glass fiber itself is one of the most durable materials that are used in various fields of dentistry. It works very well in orthodontics, periodontics and prosthetics. It is used for front teeth reconstructionbut not applicable to molars.
The teeth rebuilt on fiberglass are resistant to mechanical damage, have a natural color and look flawless. During the restoration of the tooth, fiberglass is inserted into the root canal, and thus the tooth retains its stability. It can also be used to strengthen bridges. The price of a tooth reconstruction with the use of a glass fiber crown-root inlay may be on average PLN 250–450.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to use fiberglass to rebuild a tooth. Patients who cannot help grinding their teeth will not be able to benefit from this type of restoration. Fiberglass cannot be used when the teeth are unstable or when the patient has a severe malocclusion. When the restoration of the tooth is made of fiberglass, the patient must maintain perfect oral hygiene.
- Check when you may need to insert dental implants.
Tooth reconstruction on the root
If the tooth crown has been damaged, but the root is in good condition, the tooth can be rebuilt on it. Porcelain crowns are most often used, especially when the tooth is dead. A crown has the advantage over the veneer itself as it surrounds the tooth completely and protects it against caries. It is also possible to fix the veneer if most of the tooth is preserved. Its additional advantage is the ability to adjust the color and shape to the rest of the teeth, which is why veneers are also used to obtain whiter teeth.
- Also read: How to whiten your teeth? The effectiveness of treatments and home remedies
If the tooth defect is very large, a crown-root inlay is made, and before that, a special fixing screw is placed in the root itself. The cartridge can be made of glass fiber or the more expensive zirconium oxide.