A wedge-shaped defect of the teeth is stated by dentists in their patients much less often than other pathologies. This term is usually called damage to the surface of the enamel, which is not associated with caries. The disease occurs more often on the front teeth and molars. Defects always have a special shape. A kind of ledge is formed on the surface of the tooth, which resembles a step, or, simply speaking, a wedge. This is where the name of the disease comes from.
Where does the disease appear most often?
In most cases, cervical areas are affected. It is possible to observe both a slight darkening of the enamel, and the complete destruction of the tooth surface. It all depends on the speed of the course of the disease and on the timely treatment measures taken. Doctors have found that people of middle age, even advanced age, are most often treated with a problem of this kind. Therefore, the disease can be called age-related to some extent.
Reasons for the development of pathology
The main cause of the disease is considered by specialists to be mechanical damage to the dental crown. Such errors arise as a result of injuries or the use of excessively solid food. It's actually more theory than probability. The exact reasons are difficult to establish. After all, many patients who applied for a consultation with similar symptoms did not have a pronounced mechanical effect on the tooth before the first signs appeared. Nevertheless, dentists are inclined to believe such a theory, and explain that even an incorrectly selected toothbrush can be considered a mechanical effect.
Toothbrush - enemy or helper?
Observations show that a brush with hard bristles significantly erases the layer of tooth enamel during operation. This is especially true if the patient does not follow the correct technology for cleaning the oral cavity. Cleaning exclusively in the horizontal direction will inevitably lead to the development of a wedge-shaped defect. In addition, it significantly increases the likelihood of caries and hypersensitivity. Due to the structure of the jaw, it is the anterior teeth and posterior molars that are most affected.
Another proof of the theory of dentists regarding the causes of the development of pathology due to a poorly selected cleaning tool can be considered the following fact. The defect in people who perform the main actions with the right hand is more pronounced on the left side, and vice versa in left-handed people.
Insufficient compliance with hygiene standards
It is impossible not to mention poor oral hygiene, which has also become one of the reasons for the development of dental diseases of various etiologies. The remnants of soft plaque and harder deposits are a wonderful breeding ground for pathogenic microbes. Because of this, you can soon observe the demineralization of the enamel, then its thinning. There is a loss of useful trace elements, in particular calcium.
Significant deposits of plaque and tartar lead to excessive release of organic acid, which is destructive to the surface of the tooth. Without timely intervention, it will soon become almost impossible to stop the decay process or it will require a lot of time and effort of a specialist.
Other reasons
The presence of concomitant diseases of the oral cavity can be a good breeding ground for the development of a wedge-shaped defect of the teeth. This is primarily referred to as periodontitis. Pathology implies some raising or lowering of the gums. This causes exposure of the necks of the tooth, which are susceptible to infections of various kinds.
It is difficult to explain, but doctors have repeatedly observed the development of a wedge-shaped defect of the teeth in parallel with other somatic diseases. Often a similar pathology can be observed in patients with mental disorders. Ranging from a banal neurosis to a deep degree of schizophrenia. The relationship between these factors is not clear. For example, bruxism, which often overtakes people with an unbalanced psyche, is an excellent reason for the deterioration of tooth enamel.
In contrast to all the assurances of dentists, it can be said that veterinarians also observe wedge-shaped defects in their patients. And to imagine an animal that excessively affects the surface of the tooth with a toothbrush is quite difficult and at least ridiculous. It would be more correct to state that the mechanical impact on an already formed defect leads to the development of a wedge-shaped defect.
Symptoms
The difficulty of diagnosis lies in the weak symptoms. Hypersensitivity, which is a sign of many dental diseases, can be a reason to sound the alarm. The patient at an early stage notices discomfort when eating hot or sweet food, as well as when in contact with a toothbrush.
The localization of sensitive areas will help to determine in the signs exactly the wedge-shaped defect of the teeth. Pathology implies a lesion in the cervical part. Initially, the patient may observe a small crack on the surface of the tooth, which will develop over time and transform into a stepped wedge-shaped defect.
Despite the fact that the anterior teeth and lateral molars are more often affected, the defect can easily affect absolutely any tooth. A feature of this disease is a complex infection. It is rare for a single tooth to be destroyed, and this should most likely be taken as an exception. Adjacent teeth usually also suffer. It is on this basis that the dentist suspects a wedge-shaped defect even at a very early stage.
Several stages of the disease
Experts have established that four stages of the defect can be clearly distinguished. Starting from minimal darkening of the enamel and ending with the complete destruction of the tooth. The degree of damage is determined based on the depth of the defect. The larger the crack, the more difficult the treatment and the prospects are not the most favorable. Rarely, the problem progresses very quickly, so you can have time to stop the destructive process.
With deep lesions, the entire oral cavity suffers from a wedge-shaped defect. Rarely, but there are cases when you can not do without tooth extraction. This is necessary to somehow stop the infection of others. In addition, the most complex form of the course of the disease is characterized by a complete opening of the pulp chamber, affecting the deepest dentinal layers. This causes tangible pain and discomfort, and the treatment is not the fastest. Because of this, patients often decide to remove and further prosthetics.
One of the rare symptoms can be called a partial loss of sensitivity during external exposure. This fact is often misunderstood as an improvement. Such conclusions lead to a delay in seeking help and, accordingly, to further destruction of the dentition.
Diagnostics
One of the aggravating factors is late diagnosis. It is often possible to detect a problem already when it is in full bloom. Sometimes the defect immediately manifests itself as an exposure of the neck of the tooth. It is quite difficult for oneself to distinguish a wedge-shaped defect from a banal caries. When it is not possible to visit a specialist’s office immediately after the appearance of the first signs, knowledge of the main differences between the two vices will come to the rescue.
With a wedge-shaped defect, the tooth surface remains smooth and polished despite noticeable color changes. Feelings at the slightest external influence can speak in favor of a correctly defined problem. Excessive sensitivity when eating hot or sweet foods, as well as brushing your teeth.
Such methods are extremely doubtful, because the initial stage is rarely characterized by strong manifestations. Only a specialist can clearly differentiate a defect from other problems. It is highly undesirable to engage in self-diagnosis. Symptoms are similar to enamel problems. Sometimes not treatment is required, but only prevention, and the patient takes unreasonably serious measures.
Prevention
The main method of prevention is regular inspection and, if necessary, sanitation. It is important to properly brush your teeth and other hygiene procedures. It is necessary to choose the right toothbrush, which will not only qualitatively remove food debris, but also gently affect the gums and enamel.
When there is a tendency to decay of teeth, for example, heredity or weakened immunity, it is possible to carry out the procedure of applications with fluorine. So the enamel is significantly strengthened and thereby the risk of pathologies is reduced. The service is provided in almost any private clinic and does not take much time, at most 15 minutes. The number of sessions depends on the clinical picture during a visual examination.
Treatment
A complete cure can be achieved only in the earliest stages of the disease. Unfortunately, the mild symptoms of the initial stage make early diagnosis difficult. Therefore, drastic measures are often required. This includes artistic restoration and prosthetics. The best option is recommended based on the examination and the overall health picture. For each of the procedures there are a number of contraindications. You need to be prepared that a complete examination of the body may be required for prosthetics.
A timely visit to the doctor will help save a bad tooth. The problem should not be feared, but solved. This is the only way to keep a beautiful smile for many years. Experienced dentists who have the necessary knowledge and equipment can cope with the situation.
