The most common problem with teeth is caries. Therefore, most people assume that caries is the only reason why teeth can decay. But in fact, there are also diseases that are not carious in nature, in which damage and destruction of teeth occurs not under the influence of environmental factors, but because of the peculiarities of their structure.
These problems include tooth enamel hypoplasia. This disease carries a serious danger, and tooth damage caused by this disease cannot be treated or completely restored. However, early identification of the problem can significantly change the situation. Accordingly, it is very important to detect the disease at its early stage, as well as to establish the reasons for which it arose. In this, dentists are helped by symptoms, as well as various kinds of diagnostics.
The concept of hypoplasia
The layer of enamel that covers the tooth of a he althy person has a fairly strong structure, because its main purpose is to protect the internal structures of the tooth from the negative effects of the external environment. However, situations are possible in which the problem occurs due to internal problems in the body. For example, tooth enamel hypoplasia is a disease that can affect all tooth tissues without exception.
The most common variant of the disease is tooth enamel hypoplasia. When this disease occurs, tooth damage is of a non-carious nature. The causes of hypoplasia are deviations that have arisen in the process of formation and formation of enamel. As a result of such a pathology, the enamel layer becomes thinner, and the pathology can have a different form of severity.
Types of hypoplastic disease
Dentists note that enamel damage in mild hypoplasia can be minimal, but the disease is also severe. In this case, the tooth does not have a protective layer at all. This form is called aplasia.
The development of this disease can begin at any age. Although dental hypoplasia is most common in children who still have baby teeth, there is no guarantee that the same symptoms will not occur in an adult.
If you stick to the basic classification, then the disease can be conditionally divided into two types - systemic hypoplasia and local hypoplasia. Whenthe systemic form of the disease appears the greatest threat, since in this case the entire enamel layer of the tooth is affected. The systemic form of hypoplasia in a serious condition implies not so much a thinning of the enamel layer, but its serious underdevelopment, which manifests itself in the form of the formation of waves, furrows and dots. Hypoplasia in the local form often affects the molars, which have undergone some damage during the formation stage.
Hypoplasia of tooth enamel is a rather serious problem, as it results in general weakness of the tooth and its protective layer, which, in turn, is a favorable environment for the occurrence of other pathologies and diseases.
Causes of occurrence
Currently, doctors adhere to two main theories regarding the nature of the occurrence of hypoplasia. The first group of experts believes that the beginning of the process that destroys enamel can be triggered by disturbances in mineralization. Another group of specialists is of the opinion that such a cause is not isolated, and the slow function of epithelial cells in the tooth germ also affects the development of hypoplasia. However, it is worth noting that, along with physiological reasons, other factors are of great importance, which create a favorable environment and conditions for the further development of enamel hypoplasia of permanent teeth.
Disorders of baby teeth
Due to the fact that the formation of milk teeth occurs at the stage of intrauterine development of an infant, their general condition independs to a large extent on how the pregnancy proceeded, as well as on the he alth of the mother of the child.
The following factors can influence the development of enamel hypoplasia of milk teeth in an infant during its development in the womb and during childbirth:
- diseases of the digestive system in the mother;
- infectious diseases that were carried by the mother during pregnancy;
- deviations in the position of the fetus;
- congenital diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- the influence of factors such as chemicals or dangerous temperatures;
- feeding the baby artificially;
- prematurity. Experts are of the opinion that the latter reason has become relevant not so long ago and has led to an increase in the number of children suffering from hypoplasia. The situation is such that modern technologies make it possible to nurse even too premature babies, but in such children the processes of tissue and organ development have not yet been completed properly. In this regard, premature babies subsequently suffer from hypoplasia of the enamel of milk teeth, since there was a violation of the process of its formation, or it was completely interrupted;
- oligohydramnios;
- toxicosis in severe form;
- traumatic injuries. These include also injuries received during childbirth;
- bad habits during pregnancy.
All these factors cause enamel hypoplasia of milk teeth at an early age inbaby.
Molar pathology
Such a pathology can begin to develop at an early age, in the first years of a child's life. The formation and development of the embryos of the molars begins to occur at about six months of age. Therefore, it is quite logical to assume that a violation of the state of he alth at this age can provoke the process of impaired development of tooth enamel. In this regard, hypoplasia of the molars can often be detected in those people who in childhood suffered diseases such as:
- severe forms of infectious diseases;
- rickets;
- kidney disease and endocrine disruption;
- syphilis;
- serious disorders in the digestive system;
- anemia due to iron deficiency;
- brain dysfunction.
Hypoplasia of tooth enamel will develop and appear on the molars, depending on the age at which the child suffered a particular disease. For example, if the disease was transferred at the initial pores of life, then damage to the tooth enamel can be observed along the edges of the central incisors and the first large permanent teeth. The disease at the ninth month of life can provoke enamel damage on the incisors of the second and third order on both sides, as well as on the central incisors and large chewers in the area of their crown.
Symptoms of hypoplasia
Diagnosis of this disease is notis a complex procedure for a competent specialist, because it has specific symptoms. But patients should still independently monitor the condition of the enamel of their teeth. Only this will allow timely detection of the problem at the stage of its early development.
Systemic form of hypoplasia
As we have already noted, the systemic form of the disease can manifest itself in various degrees of severity. So, with the appearance of a mild form, a partial change in the color of the tooth enamel is observed - yellowish areas are formed on its surface, which have clearly defined boundaries. Such defects can be seen in the photo with tooth enamel hypoplasia. The specificity of this form lies in the fact that lesions in the form of spots have exactly the same size and are located symmetrically - on the same teeth on both sides of the jaw. Most often, this form of the disease affects the front side of the teeth, therefore, if you pay due attention to the condition of your teeth, then the development of the disease at an early stage is absolutely not difficult to notice. With this form of hypoplasia, pain is not felt, and the thickness of the tooth enamel on the affected and he althy areas of the tooth is the same.
With the second degree of complexity, underdevelopment of tooth enamel occurs, which can be characterized by the appearance of changes of various types. The wavy pattern can be visually identified even in the absence of additional devices. If you dry the tooth, then small rollers will be visible on its entire surface. Another manifestation is the grooves - they, as a rule, have a single location andare across the tooth. Along with wave-like manifestations, the grooves are located alternately with he althy areas of tooth enamel. The third type of manifestations is the most common - point. In this case, recesses are located along the entire surface of the tooth, which eventually change their color to a darker one. Therefore, it is necessary to detect and begin treatment of tooth enamel hypoplasia in children in time.
Aplasia
The most dangerous stage of hypoplasia is aplasia, that is, a form in which there is no tooth enamel at all. Such a manifestation can be localized in a certain area of the tooth or may affect the entire tooth. With this form, there are significant pain sensations that occur as a reaction to environmental stimuli. A specific characteristic is that the painful sensation disappears immediately after the external impact on the tooth has been stopped.
Local form
The main sign of the local form of enamel hypoplasia of permanent teeth in children and adults is the process of the appearance of spots on the surface of the enamel coating, which may have a different color. Shades of such spots can range from pale yellow to dark brown. Such a defeat of tooth enamel is manifested by the formation of depressions of a point nature, which are everywhere located over the entire surface. It is worth noting that this form can only appear on molars.
Diagnosis of hypoplasia
Enamel hypoplasia is inherited asX-linked dominant trait. As a rule, the diagnosis of hypoplasia does not cause difficulties for dentists due to the fact that the disease has visual symptoms that can be easily noticed. The main task of the dentist is to differentiate hypoplasia from a carious lesion. In order to perform such an examination, doctors use three main methods:
- visual assessment of the enamel surface. With carious manifestations, the tooth enamel has a rough surface, and with hypoplasia, it remains smooth;
- assessment of the number of spots (multiple manifestations are characteristic of hypoplasia);
- staining of the affected areas of enamel with a solution of methylene blue. Spots characteristic of hypoplasia are not stained with this solution, unlike carious lesions.
Treatment of enamel hypoplasia of permanent teeth
The method of treatment of the disease depends on the clinical manifestations, that is, on the form and severity of the pathology, as well as on the nature of the changes.
If hypoplasia is manifested by the appearance of light spots on the enamel in small quantities, which are located in areas of the teeth that are not too visible, treatment of such a manifestation is optional.
In the event that the spots are located on the front surface of the incisors and are noticeable, the defect can be eliminated. Unfortunately, it is not possible to restore the affected enamel, so the doctor can use various filling materials, as well as veneers or crowns.
What if hypoplasia in the form of furrows and stripes?
If the disease manifested itself in the form of depressions, furrows or stripes, then filling the tooth according to the classical scenario may be effective.
If the teeth restored in this way are treated with care, they will be functional and aesthetic for a sufficiently long period.
Veneers are plates that the dentist attaches to the outer surface of the tooth. This type of crown has an impeccable appearance, but the inside of the teeth still does not look very attractive. But due to its invisibility, veneers can be an excellent solution in the treatment of hypoplasia.
If the tooth has a sufficiently altered shape as a result of pathology, then dentists tend to use orthopedic crowns. Installing such a crown is quite a difficult job. Therefore, if there is an alternative possibility to restore the aesthetic appearance of the teeth, then you should wait with the installation of an orthopedic crown.
