Restorative dentistry
The most common condition affecting the dento-maxillary apparatus is dental caries, which is the result of the action of the bacteria in dental plaque. The metabolism of the microorganisms present here leads to the production of acids that cause demineralisation of the enamel, which precedes the formation of the carious cavity.
Dental caries has a slow progression and, if left untreated, can lead to involvement of the dental pulp, with the associated complications (pain, dental abscess, benign tumoural formations).
The factors that predispose to dental caries are:
- Poor hygiene;
- A predominance of carbohydrates in the diet;
- Lack of fluoride in the child's diet;
- The presence of metabolic disorders during the child's developmental period (vitamin deficiencies, anaemias, etc.);
The treatment of dental caries consists of removing the affected tissues and restoring the tooth's morphology using filling materials: silver amalgam, composite resins or ceramic materials.
The dental fillings most commonly used in modern dentistry are made of composite materials, a preference driven by their aesthetic and functional properties. In cases of extensive destruction, the classic dental filling is replaced by the dental inlay, made in the laboratory from precious metals, composite resins or ceramic materials. The advantage of the dental inlay over the dental filling lies in the factor of mechanical strength.
