Tooth filing and details about filed-down teeth
Purpose of tooth filing
Tooth filing, or preparation, is a common procedure in dentistry. It is a preparatory process where the dentist removes damaged, decayed tissue and prepares the teeth for a restoration. This is done using rotary instruments, drills, and grinders.
During tooth grinding, a shape is created on the teeth that allows for the fitting of a dental restoration. It's important to know that this is a very meticulous and attention-demanding task. Proper grinding and preparation of the tooth require significant expertise, as it affects whether there will be gum inflammation around the finished restoration. Inadequate grinding may result in the new dental crown feeling "too large" or ill-fitting even after several weeks.
Shoulder technique tooth preparation
There are several types of tooth preparation. The shoulder preparation has the advantage of creating a distinct shoulder at the neck of the tooth during preparation. This boundary clearly indicates to the dental technician where the crown should end. Additionally, the thickness of the crown's edge will match the thickness of the shoulder, making the crown's margin almost imperceptible.
This way, a dental prosthesis can be made that does not irritate the gum, thus preventing gum inflammation and the development of gum disease.
The extent of tooth preparation
It is often asked by our patients how much tooth substance needs to be prepared. The extent of preparation depends largely on the type of dental prosthesis planned. For veneers, only minimal tooth material removal is needed. In the case of crowns, more material is removed. The material used for the prosthesis also affects the amount of preparation required. For metal-ceramic crowns, more extensive preparation is needed to accommodate the aesthetic coverage of the metal framework, requiring greater thickness. Telescope prosthetics also require significant preparation.
Workflow of tooth preparation
Once the type of dental prosthesis required has been determined during the dental consultation, the next task is the tooth preparation. This procedure is carried out in the dental chair.
Tooth preparation is usually performed under local anesthesia, so it is not painful for our patients. An exception might be the preparation of root-treated teeth, where anesthesia is often not necessary. Once numbness sets in, the dentist uses rotary instruments to shape the tooth to accommodate the prosthesis. Cooling the prepared tooth is very important. Irrigation is used to prevent the tooth from overheating.
The shape of the prepared tooth and the amount of removed tooth tissue depend on the type of prosthesis to be worn. It is important that the prepared tooth has a smooth and clear surface, as this facilitates impression taking, whether traditional or digital. High-quality preparation is also beneficial for the dental technician, resulting in a more accurate prosthesis after precise dental work.
After tooth preparation
Sensitivity in a non-root-treated prepared tooth is a normal occurrence. The tooth may be sensitive because the preparation process removes a significant portion of the tooth's enamel. This results in the remaining tissues being less effective at insulating against pain stimuli reaching the dental pulp. Therefore, sensitivity to hot and cold stimuli after preparation is not considered pathological. To minimize discomfort, a temporary crown or plastic crown is usually placed on the tooth after preparation. A rare side effect of tooth preparation could be inflammation, which may necessitate root canal treatment.
Tooth filing prices
The cost of tooth preparation is difficult to interpret on its own, as the preparation is done to accommodate some form of dental restoration. The actual cost is determined by the type of dental prosthesis being made (e.g., filling, inlay, veneer, crown, bridge). The prices for dental prostheses can be found at the bottom of the page or on the dental pricing page.
If you want your tooth preparation handled by experienced professionals, please make an appointment via email or by calling 053 930 1323!
FAQ - Common questions about tooth preparation
Is there such a thing as cosmetic tooth preparation?
Cosmetic tooth preparation can be understood as the minimal alteration of the contours or shape of the teeth through tooth grinding. This involves fine-tuning the tooth's shape by making slight modifications to the enamel layer on the tooth's surface. It is important that the preparation only occurs within the enamel layer, as no additional construction is needed after polishing the surface.
What to do in case of pain after tooth preparation? What could be the cause?
After preparation, tooth sensitivity and pain can occur. Sensitivity after tooth preparation is quite normal, as the tooth may still react more intensely to external stimuli despite the temporary crown. It is advisable to monitor the pain over time. If the pain worsens, it may indicate pulpitis and the need for root canal treatment.
Does tooth grinding hurt if the tooth has had a root canal?
Tooth preparation for root-canaled teeth is not painful, as the tooth does not respond to stimuli after the pulp treatment.
Is gum pain normal after tooth preparation?
Sensitivity of the gums is also a normal occurrence after preparation. The grinding is usually done up to the gum line or below it to hide the edge of the crown, so minimal gum damage or stretching due to treatment can cause sensitivity. This typically subsides after 1-2 days.
After grinding, my tooth has turned red and its color has completely changed. What does this mean?
The filed tooth loses a significant portion of its hard tissues due to mechanical impact, causing the tooth to experience the procedure as a trauma. After the treatment, reversible and irreversible symptoms and changes may occur. The mentioned red change is typically a sign of the tooth's hemorrhage and generally falls into the latter category, making root canal treatment necessary.
The tooth was ground down without anesthesia, yet it did not hurt. How is this possible?
If we prepare root-canal-treated teeth, the grinding of the tooth is not painful.
Does making a zirconia crown or a metal-ceramic crown require more loss of tooth substance?
If the zirconia restoration is made from monolithic material, then less tooth reduction is required in this case.
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