Fissure caries is considered one of the most common forms of dental damage. It is very difficult to diagnose in a timely manner. A neglected pathological process can lead to tooth loss. To prevent this from happening, you need to know the methods of preventing the disease and always follow them.
Description of the disease
A tooth consists of a root, a neck and a crown. On its chewing surface are small depressions called fissures. They are usually divided into two types:
- Open with a good bottom view.
- Closed, resembling a groove in shape with almost interlocking walls.
This type of caries is faced not only by adults, but also by young children. Their tooth grooves are so deep that pieces of food constantly get stuck in them. As a result, plaque is formed. In the process of chewing food, the remnants of food under pressure remain in the tubercles. There they decompose, creating a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria. Even a thorough brushing of the teeth does not always guarantee protection from the disease.
Manyunderestimate fissure caries, postponing its treatment on the back burner. Over time, more and more new areas are involved in the pathological process. Often patients come to the dentist when caries has captured not only the surface of the enamel, but also the pulp itself. At this stage of the development of the disease, throbbing pain accompanies a person constantly, even in the absence of external stimuli. Usually, such a symptom indicates the occurrence of pulpitis or periodontitis.
Causes of illness
The main reason for the development of the disease is considered to be improper oral hygiene. The fissure of the tooth is a vulnerable place where food debris constantly accumulates. Subsequently, they begin to rot and destroy the enamel. Over time, the pathological process leads to caries, which gradually spreads to new areas of the tooth.
Among other factors that provoke the onset of the disease, doctors identify the following:
- large groove size;
- low enamel resistance;
- changes in the composition of saliva due to chronic diseases;
- malnutrition with a predominance of carbohydrate foods.
In the presence of these factors, caries does not always appear, but the likelihood of its occurrence increases several times. People who are at risk should periodically undergo an examination by a dentist. In addition, more attention should be paid to oral hygiene.
How to recognize the pathology yourself?
Fissure caries is one of the fewdental diseases, which can be easily diagnosed independently. It is worth mentioning that we are talking about an open type of grooves. The first manifestation of the pathological process is the darkening of the enamel. At the same time, the surface of the tooth retains its integrity. This symptom is complemented by bouts of monotonous or throbbing pain. Gradually, the sensitivity of the tooth in relation to external stimuli increases. Eating too hot or cold food is always accompanied by discomfort.
Closed tooth fissure is a more difficult case. The disease can develop for a long time without causing concern. External signs of the pathological process are almost always absent. It is not possible to recognize the disease on your own.
Diagnostic Methods
When the first symptoms of a carious process appear, you should seek help from a dentist. Do not be afraid and put off visiting a doctor. The sooner a specialist identifies the pathology and starts its treatment, the less likely it is to develop complications.
To diagnose fissure caries in modern dentistry, the following manipulations are used:
- Visual inspection with a probe. This method is effective only for open fissures. With it, you can examine the grooves and examine the condition of the enamel.
- Hardware diagnostics. This modern research technique allows you to identify closed and open fissures. During the procedure, the doctor examines the patient's teeth with a special laser. Anya private dental clinic can provide a similar service, but free medical facilities cannot.
- X-ray. This method is used to diagnose closed fissures when the main symptoms of the disease are absent. They resort to his help in case of patient complaints of increased tooth sensitivity.
- Fissurotomy. For the procedure, the dentist uses special soft burs that allow you to open the tooth groove by 0.6 mm. In most cases, this is sufficient to detect pathology.
- Using caries markers.
When caries is suspected, several diagnostic options from those listed above are usually used simultaneously. However, the most informative is the hardware method. Laser treatment of teeth affected by fissure caries is not applied. The device is used for diagnostic purposes only.
When to start treatment?
The opinions of dentists on this issue differ significantly. Some believe that dark spots on the enamel do not require specific treatment. In this case, the patient is given recommendations on the proper care of the oral cavity in order to delay the further development of the pathological process and the destruction of tooth enamel. Only after the disease reaches a new level, therapy can begin.
Other dentists have a different opinion. They believe that the dark spot is a favorable environment for the vital activity of pathogenic bacteria. Lack of timelytherapy can lead to destruction of the entire tooth.
Treatment of the disease is carried out in two ways - with the help of filling and the use of special tabs. All therapeutic measures are aimed at removing tissues affected by caries. They differ only in the choice of material and the technique by which the shape of the tooth is restored.
Filling with light-polymer materials
Treatment of a problem tooth begins with the removal of carious tissues. For this, diamond burs are used, the rotation frequency of which is about 30 thousand revolutions per second. Such a high speed and the use of water cooling ensure a painless procedure. Pathological tissues are removed to the level of he althy structures
At the next step, the dentist will etch the prepared cavity. This procedure involves the treatment of the bottom and walls of the tooth with phosphoric acid. As a result of etching, micropores are formed on the entire surface of the cavity.
Then the doctor applies a special compound - an adhesive. This is a sticky substance that fills all the microcracks on the surface of the tooth. Also, its use is necessary for better connection of the filling material with hard tissues. This completes the preparatory phase.
The dentist fills the pre-dried cavity with filling material. The shape of the tooth and its function are restored. In modern dentistry, the most popular light filling, which is otherwise called a photopolymer. It is characterized by highresistance to abrasion, no toxic effects on the body.
The final stage of treatment is the polishing of the installed filling. With the help of special brushes and rubber bands, the dentist smooths out all the bumps and roughness.
Treatment with restorative tabs
The procedure for working with a diseased tooth is practically the same as the treatment regimen using a filling. The doctor first drills carious tissues in the cavity, preparing it for the installation of a kind of micro-prosthesis - a restorative tab. Then applies an adhesive compound to eliminate microcracks.
After that, an impression of the tooth is made, according to which technicians in a special laboratory can make an exact copy of it from plaster. According to this model, a restoration tab is made. It can be made from ceramic, silver or a medical alloy of semi-precious metals. The resulting microprosthesis fills the recesses of the chewing surface of the tooth. At the final stage, the dentist very carefully sticks it on a special cement.
Which is better: a filling or a restorative tab?
Most dentists advocate the use of restorative inlays. They explain their choice very simply. Often caries extends not only to the tooth itself, but also to the filling. As a result, small gaps remain, which can lead to the development of a secondary form of the disease. This problem can be avoided by using tabs.
Micro prostheses have a longer service life than fillings. Ceramic inlays have an attractive appearance. Over time, this material will not fade, unlike fillings.
Today, every private dental clinic offers services for the treatment of fissure caries. In most cases, restoration inlays are used at the stage of restoration work. To be sure of the quality of the result, you can familiarize yourself with examples of the work of dentists. Almost every medical institution has a stand with photos before or after treatment. In addition, specialists always give a guarantee for the work performed.
How much does dental treatment cost?
It is not possible to answer this question unambiguously. The choice of material used plays a decisive role in the final cost of therapy. For example, for the treatment of caries with a light filling, you will have to spend from 3 to 6 thousand rubles. Additionally, dentists may charge for anesthesia.
How much does dental treatment with a restorative inlay cost? In this matter, the choice of material also plays a direct role. A microprosthesis made of a medical alloy will cost much less than its ceramic counterpart. However, the latter is characterized by greater durability and wear resistance. It should also be borne in mind that the cost of treatment will include the work of a technician to make an impression. On average, the final price can vary between 10-20 thousand rubles.
Prevention measures
Fissure caries is a disease that can be avoided by following preventive recommendations. Among them:
- Regular visits to the dentist. At the appointment, the doctor will be able to identify the emerging pathology and eliminate it painlessly.
- Compliance with basic rules of oral hygiene (use of dental floss, rinses).
- Tooth remineralization once every 6 months.
- Taking calcium supplements. It is worth noting that only a doctor can prescribe any medications.
For people with a complex structure of fissures, when it is not possible to clean the grooves with high quality, dentists recommend a sealing procedure. It involves applying a special gel to problem areas of the teeth.
