Root caries

Tooth root caries is a rather serious pathology, which, unfortunately, few people pay attention to. Basically, the most common type of pathology formation is on the crown part. However, if timely measures are not taken, the process can go even further, and go to the root of the tooth. This is fraught with the fact that a person can lose a tooth, so such a defect must be eliminated as soon as possible.

Why does pathology occur?

Consider the main reasons for the formation of caries of the tooth root:

1. Gum disease , in which a gum pocket forms. As a rule, this pathology occurs in cases where the fit of the gums to the cervical part of the tooth is disturbed. In this space, food particles can accumulate, they provoke the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria, due to which caries begins to form.
2. If deep caries of the crown is not cured in time, this can also contribute to the development of pathology. Spots begin to form on the tooth, and if measures are not taken, the process can develop in the dentin, affecting the roots of the tooth and its pulp.
3. If the patient has an incorrectly placed crown, or it has already served its expiration date, this can also cause caries. A free space is formed between the crown and the gum, which exposes the tooth - bacteria and plaque begin to accumulate on it, which leads to the formation of caries. Ultimately, caries wears down the base of the tooth, and it simply falls out.

It should be noted that caries of the tooth root is a pathology that is not very common. People who have crowns are most affected by the problem. Even if the gum margin drops by a millimeter, this will be enough for the accumulation of harmful bacteria, food particles, plaque, etc. Due to the fact that there is a crown on the tooth, a person may not notice for a long time that the tooth is gradually being destroyed. And this greatly complicates further treatment, since the process is irreversibly moving forward, rapidly destroying the root of the tooth.

Again, a fairly common cause of pathology is gum disease. Food gets stuck, bacteria multiply, and all this leads to irreversible consequences.

Is it possible to detect the defect yourself?

If the root caries is under the crown, gum, tartar, that is, it is closed, then the clinical picture is poor. Due to the fact that there is an obstacle, a person may not even immediately guess that something is wrong with the tooth. In order to detect a defect, you need to go to the dentist, he will prescribe an x-ray - and in this case it will already be possible to judge the presence of a problem.

If caries is not covered by anything, all the symptoms characteristic of standard caries will be present, but it will be expressed many times over. Let's take a closer look at the symptoms:

1. When chewing hot, cold, sour or very sweet food, there is a stabbing pain. As soon as the irritating factor is eliminated, the discomfort also disappears.
2. The cavity of the tooth is uneven, with the presence of roughness. In some cases, it is filled with soft dentin.
3. The appearance of spots on the enamel.
4. The x-ray results will show a cavity. In some cases, it is confused with a wedge-shaped defect, although this is an incorrect judgment. Symptoms are similar, but the bottom of the cavity will be smooth, without changes.

Cement and root caries - is there a difference?

If the patient has cement caries, then the site of tissue damage will be hidden under the gum. It is almost impossible to identify this place with the naked eye, which greatly aggravates the process.

If the caries is cervical, it can be seen, since the defect is formed near the gums, on the enamel itself. It is very easy to recognize such a pathology.

How is the diagnosis carried out?

Consider how you can determine the disease at a doctor's appointment:

1. Primary inspection. The specialist listens to the patient's complaints, after which he examines the oral cavity. This is necessary in order to assess the gums and the condition of the teeth.
2. Passage of x-ray. Thanks to this technique, even very small lesions on the teeth can be easily identified.
3. Sounding. In this situation, in order to determine the pathology, the specialist needs to use a probe - thanks to it, you can get under the gum. The dentist determines the presence of the disease by rough tissue - this indicates that the patient has a carious lesion.
4. Visiography. A modern technique that involves displaying a detailed picture on a monitor screen. Thanks to this visual method, you can easily determine exactly where the root of the tooth is damaged and prescribe the appropriate type of treatment.

There are also methods such as thermodiagnostics, and electroodontometry.

Conservative treatments

It involves the use of the following methods:

• deep cleaning - to eliminate plaque , bacteria, stone;
• fluoridation - a specialist uses special substances that contain fluoride in order to strengthen the tooth;
• remineralization.

Conservative therapy is used only in cases where tooth root caries is in the initial stage.

Operative methods of treatment

The technique consists in the elimination of the affected tissues of the tooth - after which the filling is carried out. If caries affects areas directly under the gums, this is fraught with difficulties due to the fact that periodontal damage is possible.

In order not to damage the gums, the following methods are used:

• diathermocoagulation - using hot temperatures, the doctor removes excess tissue;
• retraction - a special thread is used to remove overhanging gums.

Both procedures are painful. Therefore, they are performed only under anesthesia.

Almost always, the stopped process looks much better than if the pathology was in an open form.

Consider the stages of root caries treatment:

1. anesthesia;
2. elimination of tooth tissue that has been damaged;
3. the use of a special indicator - in order to determine whether there are still affected areas;
4. drilling a cavity, isolating it from saliva;
5. filling.

If the defect is too deep, it can be eliminated with a special tab, or by prosthetics. Ceramic crowns are considered the most reliable.

During the removal of solid elements, the tooth must be constantly cooled with water. As soon as all the damaged elements are removed, the cavity must be carefully treated with an antiseptic. After all of the above actions, the specialist can proceed to sealing.

Is it possible to restore the root?

Many are interested in the question - to treat or remove the damaged root? All experts unanimously argue that, if possible, a damaged tooth should be saved. In order to return the shape to the root, special materials are usually used.

Let's consider them in detail:

1. Amalgams. It is a reliable, durable material - but this is where all its advantages end. The composition contains mercury, and it is dangerous to health, so it is used extremely rarely.
2. Compomers. Created from composite and glass ionomers, it allows you to create a strong and durable filling that will adhere tightly to the tissues. It is popular due to its high resistance to external stimuli.
3. glass ionomer cements. It is considered the best, and is used in cases where there is a need to make a seal in a hard-to-reach place. Thanks to the fluorides contained in the materials, it is possible to strengthen the tooth, it will acquire a strong mineral structure.

If the treatment was not started in a timely manner, over time, the gum around the tooth will begin to become inflamed, due to which the root will begin to become exposed. This phenomenon is dangerous pulpitis, as well as periodontitis.

Conclusion

Tooth root caries is not such a trifling problem as it might seem at first glance. Lack of proper treatment can lead to the fact that a person will lose a tooth. In modern dentistry, there are effective methods for restoring the root of a tooth. But it is better not to bring to such conditions - as a preventive measure, visit the dentist regularly. He will be able to carry out diagnostic measures, and timely eliminate problems without any complications.