Wedge-shaped defect of teeth

Wedge-shaped defect is a V-shaped defeat of solid tooth fabrics from the outer side most of which often occurs at patients of advanced and middle age. Pathology of this disease meets both in single, and in multiple manifestation, as a rule, on frontal symmetric teeth (canines), or on premolar tooths (a small molar). Wedge-shaped defect on the buccal and lip surfaces of teeth in cervical area is localized, and in a form it is similar to the triangle directed by the top towards a pulp cavity.

Diagnosing of wedge-shaped defect

It is possible to diagnose wedge-shaped defect in two ways:

• in the presence of external manifestations when defect of enamel in cervical area of tooth is expressed as a step of a V-shaped form (wedge). Manifestation of wedge-shaped defect is frequent after the tooth neck at defeat of a parodont (peridental fabric) is bared. Unlike caries wedge-shaped defect has the polished and smooth struck surface
• at emergence in the person of painful feelings from impact of mechanical, chemical or temperature influences. This diagnostic method is used in rare instances as wedge-shaped defect, as a rule, is not followed by pain at an initial stage.

Wedge-shaped defect needs to be differentiated not only from caries, but also from a tooth erosion.

Etiology of emergence of wedge-shaped defect

Men of science from stomatology still "break a spear" about an actual reason which provokes wedge-shaped defect of teeth. Let's try to consider three main theories of emergence of V – figurative change. Anyway, each of these theories has the right for existence and, the most interesting – each of them can lead to defect development.

• Erosion (chemical theory). It is considered that impact on enamel of tooth of aggressive acid chemical environment (both liquid, and gaseous) – a various citrus, carbonated drinks, juice, etc. – lead to emergence and progressing of wedge-shaped defect.
• Abrasion (mechanical theory). Means systematic mechanical impact on teeth firm foreign bodys, as leads to defect emergence. Can lead use of a rigid toothbrush to this disease. At the same time at right-handed persons the disease is more expressed on the left side, and at lefthanders – with right.
• Loading (physicomechanical theory). The increasing number of doctors-gnatologov incline that wedge-shaped defect of teeth is a result of disturbance of occlusion, in other words, of a bite. If it is short, then each tooth is obliged to assume a certain loading which, at the correct bite is uniform. If the bite is broken, then the most part of efforts when processing food is accepted by one of teeth. As a result of a horizontal depreciation bend of tooth around a neck where, by the way, enamel is thinner, there is a cracking in the beginning, and then wedge-shaped defect is formed.

Clinical picture

Wedge-shaped defect is characterized by brilliant, smooth walls. Through fabrics the pulp which is never opened can be illuminated. At early stages it looks in the form of a crack or a graze which extends and begins to resemble a wedge. A firm bottom, an equal bottom and the polished walls – one of characteristics of this disease. At the same time the tooth neck exposure is observed. Wedge-shaped defect, as a rule, is not followed by pains since process flows rather slowly and deposits of replaceable dentine manage to prevent emergence of painful effect. At the started forms of a disease there is a risk of an otlom of a tooth crown. Patients most often see a doctor because of an esthetic problem which is visible at a smile.

Treatment of wedge-shaped defect

Treatment of wedge-shaped defect at early stages is accompanied by elimination of the injuring factors. The exception of abrasive pastes and powders and rigid brushes is for this purpose made. Experienced dentists, in bigger weight, already decided on the point of view that before beginning treatment of wedge-shaped defect, the integrated analysis of occlusion is necessary. Vrach-gnatolog after detection of the injuring factors will perform optimization of a bite, thereby having eliminated a major factor of developing of a disease.

Ways of treatment of wedge-shaped defect

• The conservative way is used at initial stages of a disease. It includes applications by the remineralizing means, namely solutions of a gluconate of calcium, sodium fluoride, use of various varnishes and ointments. This way of treatment is carried out in a complex using toothpastes which lower sensitivity. The remineralizing therapy is used, as a rule, to two times a year.
• Treatment of wedge-shaped defect at more started stage demands more radical methods of treatment which include sealing using SITs (stekloionomerny cement) or modern composition materials. It should be noted the fact that sealing not always solves a problem, though is one of widespread options of treatment.
• Installation of vinir in some cases allows to achieve that the cause of illness is removed, and considerably the dentition esthetics improve.
• Installation of ceramic-metal or bezmetallovy crowns is also an efficient solution of the problem of wedge-shaped defect. Though, exists probability that under a crown defect will continue to progress

In the conclusion it is necessary to pay attention that all ways and methods of treatment of wedge-shaped defect which are listed above are applied in each separate case after careful studying of a problem by your stomatologist. Treatment of wedge-shaped defect – rather individual, long-term and labor-intensive process. In this case the understanding from the patient is necessary, and the professional stomatologist will do everything possible to return you joy of an open and light smile.