Necrosis of hard tissues of the teeth is a serious disease of the dentoalveolar system. If necrosis is not cured in a timely manner, this will lead to a violation of the chewing function.
Today, every year, doctors record cases of necrosis of hard tissues of the teeth. And the percentage of cases is only increasing every year.
Causes of the disease
Various reasons can provoke the development of the pathological process. They can be both external and internal factors.
External factors:
- Eating foods rich in food acids.
- Impact on the enamel layer of industrial acids (professional costs).
- Radiation exposure.
- Electromagnetic radiation.
It should be noted that necrosis caused by electromagnetic radiation appeared not so long ago. Usually this type of necrosis is observed in people who spend most of their time at the computer. As a rule, programmers belong to this group of persons.
Internal factors:
- Violation of the endocrine system.
- A disease that affects the central nervous system.
- Prolonged intoxication of the body.
- Pregnancy period.
- hereditary factor.
The most favorite localization of lesions in case of necrosis of hard tissues of the teeth is the cervical region of the frontal group of teeth. Rarely, cervical lesions also appear on large molars.
How does the disease progress?
First, a small white formation appears, which has a shiny surface. If at this stage treatment is not started, then these small spots, in a short period of time, increase in size and lose their luster. From this point on, the lesions cease to be smooth, but acquire some roughness.
If treatment is not done now, then the enamel layer under the lesion will collapse very quickly, exposing the dentin. Necrosis will rapidly destroy the deeper layers of the tooth.
The enamel of the affected teeth becomes so brittle that it can be scraped off the surface of the tooth without much effort.
Symptoms of the disease
If the enamel layer of the teeth begins to lose its luster and becomes rough, this may indicate the initial stage of necrosis of the hard tissues of the teeth.
First, small white spots appear on the teeth, which eventually become larger. The color of the lesion also changes over time, acquiring a brown tint.
Enamel of teeth subject to necrosis becomes very fragile. Therefore, if you probe pathological foci, you can find areas of destruction.
Patients suffering from necrosis complain of pain in the teeth from any irritant: sour, sweet, cold, hot. Sometimes the pain becomes unbearable. As soon as the effect of the irritating factor is eliminated, the pain immediately stops.
It is necessary to point out once again that the teeth located in the anterior part of the dental arches are most often affected by necrosis. And necrotic foci appear on the vestibular surface of the tooth, more often in the cervical region.
How to diagnose a pathological process?
Usually, patients suffering from necrosis of hard tissues of the teeth come to an appointment with a specialist with the corresponding complaints: stains on the teeth and increased sensitivity.
It is not difficult for a qualified dentist to make a diagnosis after examining the oral cavity. But sometimes there are still cases when necrosis is mistaken for a wedge-shaped defect or erosion.
Such errors arise due to the fact that all three forms of pathological processes have the same localization.
However, if you collect a complete history and carefully examine the lesions, it becomes clear that these forms have significant differences between themselves.
How is necrosis of hard dental tissues treated?
Dentists, after establishing a diagnosis - necrosis of hard tissues of the teeth, try to choose a treatment that will lead to the strengthening of the enamel layer and the disappearance of sensitivity.
However, if the patient seeks specialized dental care at a late stage of the disease, when the dentin layer is included in the process, then the only treatment option remains - prosthetics by a prosthodontist.
In any case, the treatment will consist of several stages:
- External examination and examination of the oral cavity.
- Interview with the patient to find out the causes of the disease.
- Selection of adequate treatment.
- Recommendations to the patient.
The dentist informs the patient about the need for hygienic care of the oral cavity, even with existing sensitivity. He selects individual hygiene products and a method of brushing his teeth.
It is important that the patient follows all the recommendations of the attending physician. After the cause of the disease is clarified, the patient must exclude the pathological factor from his life, but this is not always possible, especially in patients with neoplasms who are undergoing radiation therapy. Then symptomatic treatment is carried out, covering the teeth in the affected areas with agents that help strengthen the enamel layer. Usually these products contain calcium phosphates in their composition. In addition, sensitive areas are covered with special varnishes that reduce pain.
The patient must tune in to the fact that the treatment will be long. It is impossible to achieve strengthening of enamel in several sessions.
Disease prevention
For cancer patients, in order to reduce the pathogenic effect of radiation rays on dental tissues, special lead mouthguards were invented. Patients are required to wear these mouth guards before each radiation session. In addition, dentists recommend preparatory therapy before each session of radiation therapy: remineralizing therapy in combination with a course of antioxidants.
If necrosis appeared as a result of harmful production, then the management of these production workshops should take care of installing powerful supply and exhaust ventilation. In addition to ventilation, a good preventive measure in acid industries is the installation of water columns with an alkaline environment. Workers should rinse their mouths with this water several times a day, preferably every 120 minutes.
People working in such industries should be under special dispensary observation in dental clinics.
