Teeth which are heavily restored, cracked, broken teeth or teeth after root canal treatment lack a large part of their structure and their integrity is compromised. Unlike a broken bone, the fracture in a cracked tooth will not heal. In spite of treatment, some cracks may continue to progress and the missing tooth material which has been lost to decay will not grow back.
To restore the function and shape of these teeth, many times in the past would necessitate the placement of a crown to protect them. Otherwise cracks can propagate through the tooth and the restorative material as shown on the right.
But in the process of making room for the crown a large amount of the remaining tooth structure is sacrificed leaving the tooth small and peg shaped.
Now there is a better, conservative and economical solution for reinforcing fragile teeth. A newly created composite restorative material called EverX is filled with small fibers which create a mesh that binds the tooth fragments together. The small fibers hold the restorative material together and resist the propagation of the fracture. Thus creating a long lasting restoration which does not require the placement of a crown.
This novel material has been fount to be the “Quality Innovation of the Year” for 2013.
Dr. Kaufman is using this new and innovative material to provide better treatment and reinforce the natural tooth especially when the
- Tooth is missing a portion or a cusp.
- Tooth has a deep cavity.
- Following a root canal treatment.
- Following the removal of an amalgam filling which many times creates cracks in the tooth.