Caries on the front teeth - treatment and prevention

Remodent is a medicine used in dentistry for the prevention and treatment of carious processes. Available in powder form, in plastic bags of 3 grams.

Remodent for teeth can also be produced in a 50 gram jar. Produced at the Lisichansk gelatin plant.

It also includes:

toothpastes and tooth powders for cleaning teeth;
dental elixirs and gels;
solutions for the oral cavity.

What kind of caries is this and why does it occur?

The front teeth include the incisors (denies incisivi) and canines (dentes canini), the purpose of which is to bite off individual pieces of food. The main difference from the lateral teeth (premolars (dentes praemolares) and molars (dentes molares)) is the absence of a tuberous chewing surface for grinding. Therefore, caries forms on the crown in the form of a chisel (incisors) or slopes (fangs), in the interdental space, at the junction of the visible part of the tooth and the gum (cervical caries of the front teeth). The tooth is gradually destroyed, “pockets” form at the “neck” - caries spreads deeper, destroying the root.

Modern dentistry is based on the theory of W. D. Miller (1883), who, while conducting experiments, noticed that if an extracted tooth was placed in a fermenting mixture of bread and saliva, something similar to caries appeared on it. At the same time, the density and structure of dental tissue provide protection of teeth from destruction.

Caries is, first of all, problems in the neurohumoral regulation of the body. Normally, the hypothalamus, with the help of the pituitary gland, controls the parotid salivary glands, which secrete parotin. With the help of this substance (in medicine “hormone”), calcium metabolism in the blood-bone tissue-organs system is controlled and stimulates the movement of dental lymph through microscopic tubules inside the teeth. This cleanses and strengthens the dental tissue. Therefore, the main cause of caries is a delay in the production of dental lymph and subsequent demineralization of the tooth. Then the weak tooth in the aggressive environment of the oral cavity is destroyed from the outside.

Caries on front teeth

The dental lymph contains monoblasts, with the help of which the enamel and dentin are nourished. In order for the tooth to be cleaned from the inside, the microscopic structures of monoblasts work like a pump. The nutritious fluid released from the blood is pumped through the dentinal tubules and, under capillary pressure, is pushed towards the enamel, strengthening it. In case of disorders, when capillary pressure decreases, the amount of mineral substances decreases, plaque is literally attracted to the tooth walls (the enamel is like a fine-mesh sieve and allows oral fluid to pass into the tooth).

According to classical dental textbooks, caries is classified as an infectious bacterial disease. Recent research confirms that caries:

odontoporosis (decreased density of dental tissue);
odontoclasia (destruction of all layers of the tooth).

Factors influencing the intensity of caries development on the front teeth:

Excessive consumption of confectionery products without cleaning the mouth for 4 hours (maximum time for the formation of soft plaque). In addition, excess sugar inhibits the normal functioning of the pituitary gland.
Inflammatory process or removal of the salivary glands (saliva contains a complex of antimicrobial factors, neutralizes the acids of dental plaque and is involved in enamel calcification).
Environmentally unpleasant factors and work in the metallurgical, mining, coal, chemical industries.
Reduced general resistance (resistance) of the body.
Improper development of the jaw, crowded teeth, making it difficult to clean the mouth.

Composition of the drug Remodent

The main material used to make Remodent for teeth is animal bone tissue. Biological material is dried by lyophilization. The essence of this method is as follows: the material is first frozen, then placed in a vacuum chamber, in which it is dried by sublimation. The solvent evaporates during sublimation, leaving a “dry residue”. The process takes place without exposure to high temperature; accordingly, the lyophilization products retain their structural integrity and beneficial properties. Remodent powder restores its original properties after dissolving in water. Its composition includes the entire complex of copper, iron, magnesium, sodium, calcium, zinc, manganese and phosphorus ions.

How does caries manifest on the front teeth?

Caries on the front teeth most often appears on the enamel surface, but in older people or people with periodontal disease, the exposed surfaces of the tooth roots are also where the disease develops.

Symptoms:

Whitish matte spots, initial carious lesion (white spot lesion, incipient lesion). Due to plaque on smooth surfaces, as well as the frequent location on proximal surfaces (when interdental caries of the anterior teeth develops), only a dentist can determine the initial stage of development of the disease. The surface layer of enamel at the site of a carious lesion loses mineralization, the enamel becomes weaker by 1-10%.
Formation of a carious cavity due to demineralization of the enamel with subsequent infiltration of bacteria deep into the dentin.
Unpleasant sensations. The tooth reacts with pain to cold, hot, sweet or sour foods. The tongue can feel a change in the surface of the tooth (it can be injured). Food particles and floss get stuck.

Stages of caries on the front teeth

Caries on the front teeth develops in the following stages.

Spot stage

If you examine a stain after removing plaque using a dental probe, the roughness of the surface is noted, and when the probe is advanced, smoothness is noted. If you look at a section of a tooth under a polarizing microscope, a significant lack of minerals and an increase in the volume of enamel pores from 5 to 25% are found directly in the affected area. The components of saliva, water and proteins (protein elements) penetrate into these pores.

Initial stage of caries

Superficial caries

Over time, due to the penetration of foreign substances into the enamel, the stain darkens, but intensive cleaning cannot return the color. A carious cavity gradually forms, without affecting the dentin, since the surface layer of enamel at the site of a carious lesion is characterized by a loss of inorganic substances, reaching 1-10%.

Average caries

Caries spreads deeper. On an x-ray, the cavity exceeds half the thickness of the enamel, but does not yet affect the dentin. The rate of destruction of the dental crown at this stage slows down somewhat, since the so-called opaque (dark layer) of enamel is located here. Pores occupy almost 2-4% of it, they are small, because remineralization processes take place here. The tooth tries to recover on its own.

Deep caries

Destroys dentin, passing through the enamel-dentin border and spreading along the dentinal tubules towards the pulp. Dental pulp and dentin have their own protective mechanism. In dentin, sclerotization of the tubules begins, the processes of odontoblasts move away, and replacement irregular dentin is formed at the dentin-pulp boundary. The inflammatory process in the pulp, a reaction to the penetration of bacteria, is also a protective mechanism. If short-term pain occurs when eating cold food, it may be deep caries.

If we talk about caries of the roots of the front teeth (more often found on the canines than on the incisors), then the protective mechanism of the tooth works differently. The bare root surface, which has been exposed to the microbial-bacterial environment of the oral cavity for a long time, is covered with a thin layer of root cement. Strengthening (demineralization) of both the cement and the underlying enamel occurs, and the dentin becomes sclerotic. There are fewer dentinal tubules at the root, so the process proceeds more slowly and is initially shallow. However, over time, caries covers increasingly larger root surfaces.

The composition of plaque on root surfaces differs from the composition of the enamel surface; Aktmomyces fungus is especially common here.

Why is caries on the front teeth dangerous?

The process of caries spreading can occur much faster than on molars and premolars, since the incisors and canines do not have fissures. Due to the shape of the dental crown, the cavity reaches the dentin faster, destroying the tooth. In many cases, advanced caries leads to the fact that it becomes impossible to restore the tooth with filling materials; a crown must be installed. And in the worst case, tooth extraction and prosthetics or implantation.

Interdental and cervical caries involve adjacent teeth, and it is more difficult to treat this part of the dentition due to its specific shape, so treating caries on the front teeth is more expensive.

Types of caries in front teeth

Oral microorganisms metabolize small carbohydrate particles. The organic acids formed in this process (lactic, acetic, propionic) significantly influence the occurrence of caries. First, a sticky and sticky plaque (plaque) appears, which consists of bacterial cells and an intercellular substance called the matrix. There are two types of dental plaque:

Supragingival (siipragingi-valis). Causes caries and gum inflammation (gingivitis);
Subgingival (subgingivalis). Causes the occurrence of periodontal diseases.

Supragingival dental plaque settles in hard-to-clean places that contribute to the occurrence of caries (retention zones). A film appears on clean enamel in which colonies of bacteria form. The plaque becomes mature and cannot be removed without special cleaning. Over time, under the influence of saliva, plaque turns into tartar, and underneath it, the enamel is destroyed and bacteria penetrate. First of all, the grooves and pits on the surfaces of the teeth, the approximal and cervical surfaces of the teeth are subject to caries.

A large accumulation of plaque above the gums leads to tooth decay

Caries between front teeth

Caries on the proximal surface is most common. Improper and untimely cleaning of the oral cavity leads to the rapid growth of plaque, which grows up and down, under the gum. Therefore, the carious cavity can be quite large, the tooth decay is so great that prosthetics are recommended.

Radical caries

The thickness of the enamel becomes thinner closer to the neck. Due to the anatomical structure of the dental crown, it is easier for colonies of bacteria to gain a foothold from below. Therefore, tartar forms here more often, and the carious cavity penetrates into the dentin much faster.

Contact

When there is not enough space in the plaque for an overgrown colony, it spreads to the neighboring tooth, “infecting it.” Usually, the adjacent tooth also has weakened areas of enamel, so caries begins there too.

Other types

There is still no single and universal classification of caries. Based on the analysis of clinical manifestations, as well as various forms of progression of caries of the anterior teeth, in addition to topographic (takes into account the anatomical localization, root, contact), we can also distinguish:

dynamic caries (the degree of damage to the dental crown and root, as well as the speed of development of the disease are taken into account);
chronological (takes into account the prevalence of caries depending on the age of the patient).

Application

Three grams of Remodent should be diluted with one hundred milliliters of warm boiled water. Use the resulting solution to rinse your mouth after eating for three to five minutes. Rinsing should be done two to eight times a month, ten months a year for prevention. To treat caries, you need to rinse your mouth four times a week, and the course is 16-40 rinses, depending on the effectiveness of the treatment. One rinse takes 15-25 milliliters of water.

Indications for taking the drug

Preventive measures to prevent caries. For use by adults and children over two years of age;
Conservative treatment of dental caries at the earliest stages. For use by adults only.

Contraindications for taking Remodent

The only contraindication is high sensitivity to one or more components of the drug. Information about the drug is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a guide to self-medication. There are contraindications, consultation with a specialist is required.

Special instructions for use

Before rinsing, teeth should be thoroughly cleaned, always using toothpaste.
After rinsing, it is better not to eat or rinse your mouth for at least two hours.
The solution can be prepared in advance, but it can be stored for no more than two weeks.

Instructions for using the drug Remodent

To rinse the mouth: prepare a solution - dissolve three grams of powder in 100 milliliters of distilled or boiled water. The resulting Remodent solution is used to rinse the mouth for 5 minutes. The duration of treatment is 10 rinses. Specialists can usually prescribe 2-4 preventive courses.
To apply applications: a cotton swab of the required size is formed, then it is dipped into the Remodent solution, it is soaked in medicine and applied to the diseased tooth. Duration of application is 15-20 minutes with periodic replacement of tampons. The frequency of applications is two to three times a week.

After the procedures, it is recommended not to eat for 2 hours. The prepared Remodent solution can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 14 days.

Possible analogues: Dextranase. You cannot buy Remodent in Russian pharmacies, although this can be easily done, for example, in Ukraine. The price ranges from 200-400 rubles.

Reviews, questions and answers on the drug Remodent

Question to the pharmacist: Hello. As far as I know, the drug "Remodent" cannot be bought in Moscow pharmacies. What drug can replace it? Are there any analogues?

Answer from 09/14/2015: As of today, the drug is not registered in Russia. There are no identical analogues.

Question to the pharmacist: Good afternoon. The drug "Remodent" is not available in pharmacies in the capital. What analogues are there, maybe some folk remedies?

Reply from 11/07/2017: Good afternoon. The drug is not currently registered in Russia. There is no exact replacement.

Publication date: 07/17/2018

Diagnostics

Whether it will be painful to treat caries on a front tooth depends on the degree of damage. To diagnose it use:

Fluorescent radiation. Due to the uneven reflection (the carious spot does not glow), the presence of the disease can be determined. The method is suitable for preventive examination.
Vital staining with a mixture of methylene blue (1%) and red (0.5%) solutions. A carious stain is colored differently than healthy dental tissue. The method is cheap, it also allows you to identify areas of caries, but it is not used for prescribing treatment, because does not show the depth of the carious cavity.
Electroodontometry. Check the condition of the pulp using an electric current.
X-ray. The image shows the depth of destruction and the protective reaction of the tooth. The most accurate method by which treatment is prescribed in the most severe cases.

Treatment of caries of anterior teeth

The choice of treatment method depends on the location of the caries and the depth of its penetration. In this case, treatment must be comprehensive. In addition to dental treatment, patients must reduce their intake of easily fermented carbohydrates. Remineralizing therapy is also indicated.

Treatment of caries of anterior teeth

Sealing

Preparation of the cavity followed by filling is considered symptomatic treatment, since it does not eliminate the cause of the lesion. A cavity is an advanced state of the carious process, therefore, for the sake of protecting teeth, it is better not to bring it to this stage.

Caries between the front teeth involves both teeth, so it is common to have a cavity on both teeth at the same time. The best result is achieved with lingual access to the cavity (sometimes direct and vestibular), because The vestibular surface of the enamel is preserved and a higher aesthetic level is achieved.

To prepare a cavity, first pass through the enamel to the site of the lesion with a spherical bur, then excise the contact wall of the cavity with an enamel knife (or bur). The softened dentin is removed, cleaning the entire cavity. If necessary, retention points are formed (Latin retentio - retention, preservation) and an additional platform on the lingual surface. At the same time, they try to preserve the tissue of the contact surface of the tooth as much as possible. Enamel without underlying dentin is most often removed, since the likelihood that demineralization has spread to the entire tooth is quite high.

Then the prepared cavity is filled using contour matrices curved on a plane and interdental wedges so that the placed filling restores the surface of the dental crown and does not interfere. For filling use:

composite materials (classes of macro- and microphiles, hybrids);
ormokers and compomers (provide the most aesthetic result);
glass ionomer cements (used when etching of tooth tissue is impossible. The cheapest filling).

Amalgam is only suitable for filling canines with lingual access.

For many, visiting the dental office means an unpleasant experience. Filling is a completely tolerable process, however, at the request of the patient (and if the caries cavity extends deep into the dentin), the dentist will inject an anesthetic.

Infiltration method

Treatment of caries on the front teeth, when the destruction does not affect the dentin, is possible using Icon technology. The affected area of the tooth is not prepared, but treated with a special gel. Thanks to its mineralized chemical composition, the gel penetrates into the deep layers of enamel, destroying bacteria and sealing pores. At the same time, demineralization occurs with restoration of enamel thickness.

What can you do for caries in your front teeth at home?

To treat the initial stage of caries, remineralizing therapy is carried out at home. Typically, a 10% solution of calcium gluconate, a 2% solution of sodium fluoride, and Remodent are used. Before application, the teeth are mechanically cleaned, the tooth surface is treated with a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide (attention: 3% is not suitable) and dried. Next use:

Calcium gluconate. Apply cotton swabs soaked in the solution to the surface of the dental crown. Change every 5 minutes for 20 minutes. Then apply a tampon soaked in a 0.5-2% sodium fluoride solution.
Sodium fluoride . A tampon soaked in the solution is applied for 10-12 minutes. Course: 3-4 applications every 3-5 days. Treatment is recommended every 3 months.
Remodent. A tampon soaked in a 1,2, 3% solution is applied for 20 minutes, changing 3-4 times per procedure. Usually 15-20 procedures are required.

After the procedure, you should not eat food for 2 hours.

Attention! Home treatment has not been proven to be effective. By doing it, you can worsen the condition of your teeth.

When to use

Remodent is used as prescribed by a doctor:

for the prevention of caries;
for the treatment of the initial stage of caries.

Prescribed for adults and children over 2 years of age. In children, under the influence of Remodent, the process of development of tooth enamel is accelerated.

The effect of the treatment can be seen. The color and shine of the surface of the teeth should change, and their size should also be restored. The doctor can detect improvements in the color change of the affected areas when exposed to the indicator methylene blue.

Prevention

To increase resistance to caries (caries resistance) it is recommended:

Maintain oral hygiene (proper cleaning of the mouth, rinsing after meals);
change your diet (reduce sweets, add solid vegetables and fruits);
treat otitis media and diseases affecting the nasopharynx in a timely manner;
take fluoride supplements.

Professional teeth cleaning is one of the preventive measures

Fluorine increases the resistance of enamel, forming fluorapatite. In addition, fluorides:

normalize metabolism in dental tissue;
inhibit the growth of microorganisms;
reduce the rate of formation of acids that destroy teeth.

Therefore, if there is a low level of fluoride in the water in the region, it is recommended to drink fluoridated water, and also more often add sea fish and canned food made from it, seaweed, parsley, and tea to your food. And also use toothpaste with fluoride.

Sodium fluoride intake is 250 days a year with a break in the summer months. Subject to compliance with the timing and method of application, a reduction (decrease) of caries of primary teeth by 70-93%, and of permanent teeth by 30-60% is ensured.

What impact does

Remodent activates the processes of remineralization of dental tissues. That is, it replenishes and maintains the mineral composition of decaying dental tissues and thereby increases the resistance of dental tissue to carious processes and prevents the development of caries. Remodent is an anti-caries agent and at the same time the price remains quite affordable.

What does the loss of minerals in dental tissues lead to:

to the destruction of tooth enamel;
to increase the sensitivity of teeth in relation to various influences, primarily temperature;
to the initial stage of caries;
to the development of caries;
to enamel necrosis;
to inflammatory processes and bleeding in the gums;
to erosion of tooth enamel and abrasion of teeth;
to the destruction of tooth enamel.