Everything about Exposed Tooth Necks
Uncovered dental necks are one of the most common causes of visits to our clinic because of the sensitivity they produce in patients when they eat hot or cold things, besides damaging the aesthetics of the teeth, because everything about exposed tooth necks.
Fortunately there are many solutions to this problem, the important thing is to keep in mind that in addition to treating and fixing it, the habits that caused them in the first place must be changed so that they are not a recurring cause of dental visits.
What is tooth neck wear?
The wear of the dental necks and gum recession with respect to the root of the tooth often accompanied by wear of the root.
This is both a functional and esthetic problem since in many patients it causes discomfort or pain and can also affect the aesthetics of the smile depending on how much the patient’s gums show when smiling.
Symptoms of wear of tooth necks
- Appearance of cracks in the teeth: The thickness of the enamel is lost in the neck of the tooth, this causes the teeth to become fragile and brittle, facilitating the appearance of cracks, which in turn bring discomfort and pain.
- Hypersensitivity: The person who suffers from wear of the dental necks usually has greater sensitivity of the teeth to temperatures, due to the decrease of the enamel layer. Temperatures such as intense heat or cold can cause pain and discomfort.
- Enamel color change: The neck of the tooth, when exposed to bacteria and other agents, tends to take on a yellowish hue.
- Aesthetics: This is one of the main keys or symptoms to determine the wear since the retraction of the gum and the necks of the teeth can be noticed with the naked eye.
Sensitivity because of exposed tooth necks
Sensitivity is frequent in patients with exposed tooth necks; this means that the tooth in this area no longer has the protection of the enamel.
Tooth sensitivity is produced by the pressure generated by air or acids on dentinal tubules (microscopic structures in the root of the tooth).
The movement of the liquid that exists in the tubules stimulates the internal nerve fibers and we perceive the sensation of discomfort or pain with cold, acids or sweets.
Why do tooth necks appear?
- Very hard toothbrush: Hard toothbrushes are only indicated for brushing dentures, unfortunately they are available in the market because the same market asks for them, many people report that they only feel well brushed when the brush is hard, they also report that they do it in a shorter period of time
- Brushing too hard: More than hard toothbrushes, one of the main causes is poor brushing technique and the intensity and force with which they brush as the angle and force can begin to recede the gums. Once the gums begin to recede over time, the necks of the teeth begin to appear.
- Very acidic foods: Many people usually consume the popular mango with salt and lemon, or some even consume lemon alone, this should only be consumed sporadically as the level of acidity is very high and kills the enamel especially in the front area of the front teeth which is the most visible.
- Bruxism: Bruxism not only damages the upper part of the tooth, it also affects the necks due to a problem called “abfraction”. They are much more marked necks that leave a kind of wedge shape. In addition to the treatment of the “necks” in these patients, bruxism plates should also be used to mitigate the wear.
- Gum problems: This cause is one of the most complex causes, it is due to gum disease that gradually recedes the gum, the treatment is more careful and should not be performed only resins.
How to treat exposed tooth necks?
- Treatment for sensitivity: When the problem has just begun and the areas discovered are still very small, the treatment can be as simple as changing cleaning and brushing habits. The first treatment prior to any more complex treatment is to visit your dentist as these basic recommendations and changes may be the solution to the problem.
- Dental shims: If the wear of the neck of the tooth has already advanced to form a cavity, the dentist can place dental shims or resins to restore the aesthetics of the teeth and to avoid the sensation of hypersensitivity.
- Gingival surgery: This last option is usually applied when the cavities are already large; in this case, what is done is to reposition the gum in its original position. Surgeries of this type should be performed by a specialist in this area, who would be a periodontist. This option is also useful when recessions are due to gum disease and bone loss, since procedures are performed to eliminate the disease and to regenerate the bone.
Treating exposed tooth necks in Costa Rica
People can suffer from tooth neck wear and not even be aware of it, because their first symptom is hypersensitivity to food temperatures. Therefore, many often ignore the discomfort until the problem is already very advanced.
At Lamicq Dental Care, we specialize in treating this type of condition because it is not only a problem that causes pain, but also aesthetic. Usually these treatments are simple and can be solved in one appointment in our clinic in San Francisco de Dos Rios, Costa Rica.
If you have any doubts or questions, do not hesitate to contact us and we will be glad to assist you.