Dental trauma repair

Dental trauma is also a public dental health problem that typically occurs at a young age [44]. There is some evidence that its incidence is increasing, as young people take part in more dangerous sports and other pass-times, and so are more prone to inflict injuries on their teeth [45]. Treatment to repair the damage caused by trauma is expensive, and some sort of maintenance and possibly upgrade of the treatment may be necessary for the rest of the patient s life [44]. 

The pulp contains sensitive cells which can be damaged by extensive mechanical trauma to the tooth, or by chemical assault from substances released from materials used to repair the tooth. The pulp can also become infected and transmit that infection to the rest of the body through the circulatory system. For this reason, the bacterially mediated disease of dental caries is potentially serious and should not be left untreated [5],... 

Dental traumatic injury often results in fracture of the affected tooth, an injury that necessitates substantial repair. This fracture can vary in severity, from involving the enamel only, through involving both enamel and dentine, to involving both tissues and also exposure of the pulp. Trauma can also affect the root of the tooth, which can themselves be fractured as a result of the incident [44], Comphcations involving the root can often follow traumatic events, and may require endodontic treatment prior to repair of the fractured tooth crown. Certain patients may damage an already traumatized tooth, and this can inhibit the healing process in the tooth and lead to a variety of complications [61],... 

This chapter has outhned the conditions that lead to damage to the teeth, and shows that the effects of dental caries, trauma and periodontal disease can be profound in terms of loss of tooth structure and indeed of the teeth themselves. In the clinic, dentists carry out repairs on these conditions routinely using a variety of artificial materials. These materials have emerged as a result of many years of extensive research carried out internationally by the research community that includes basic scientists with interests in chemistry, materials science and bioengineering, as well as clinicians. 

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