Yaksu Station Dental Clinic: Retreatment of Anterior Esthetic Prosthetics (Causes of Prosthetic Fracture)

Hello!

I'm Dr. Kim Tae-young, director of Bareunyoung Dental Clinic at Yaksu Station.

When we smile, our front teeth are fully visible.

Front teeth not only perform the function of biting and tearing food but also have an aesthetic function, making a person look more attractive.

That's why many people opt for teeth whitening or, more recently, veneers, hoping for straight and white teeth.

Thanks to advancements in dental materials and bonding techniques, today's prosthetics are more aesthetic and last longer compared to the past.

However, even the strongest materials can fracture or detach if the teeth, which work 24 hours a day,

experience prolonged occlusal interference.

So, today, I'd like to discuss anterior prosthetic treatment.

A tooth I had done in the past broke!

Honestly, when I first saw it, it was made in the past but looked so natural that I thought it was a natural tooth, not a prosthetic.

However, as shown in the picture, it was cracked, and a piece was moving.

It's clearly visible from the inside.

The patient had four front teeth done, and two of them were cracked.

The causes of prosthetic fracture are:

Our dental occlusion constantly changes over time,

leading to occlusal interference between the front teeth as time passes.

Since we cannot avoid using our front teeth,

continuous stress is applied to the prosthetics through chewing activities.

As mentioned earlier, despite the high level of development in recent dental materials and bonding techniques,

such phenomena can occur after long-term use.

The patient wanted to treat only the one tooth with the moving piece first,

so we explained the possibility of the other one fracturing later and began the treatment.

When replacing anterior (front) prosthetics, it's quite challenging to make the new prosthetic identical to the existing one.

This is also why esthetic prosthetics (e.g., veneers, crowns) are usually made symmetrically in sets of at least 4, 6, or even 10.

However, this is not always realistically possible,

so we strive to achieve satisfactory results through maximum collaboration with the dental laboratory.

Therefore, in difficult cases of anterior prosthetic treatment, patients may wear temporary teeth for an extended period and also try out the final prosthetic for a while.

Removal was not difficult.

This is a photo of the tooth after removal.

Looking at the slightly outward angle of the tooth,

it was a case where minimal reduction was done to shape it, resulting in a thin prosthetic.

We trimmed it slightly to regain retention and angle and proceeded with crown fabrication.

The red circles categorize the tooth's color.

We tried our best to find a color that matched the surrounding teeth using a shade guide.

This tool is also used in teeth whitening and frequently employed in aesthetic treatments.

This is a photo after the final prosthetic attachment.

It's a bit noticeable as it was taken before completely removing the remaining adhesive^^;

Since we achieved a satisfactory result in one go, we proceeded with the final attachment on the same day.

Fortunately, the patient was also satisfied.

The older crowns around it had slightly receded towards the gums, making the border slightly visible,

but since it wasn't too prominent, I advised checking it later and monitoring the situation.

Our teeth generally work consciously or unconsciously

during all hours except when we are sleeping.

Even with similar symptoms in the same area, treatment methods can vary depending on the individual's situation.

Also, everyone has different chewing forces and lifestyle habits, making it difficult to ideally

control everything.

Therefore, we strive to provide the most reasonable treatment based on the patient's situation and environment.

For the patient above, we will also strive to manage the lifespan of the prosthetic together through continuous care, as the completion of the prosthetic is not the end.

Thank you^^

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main causes of front tooth prosthetic fractures?

The main causes of prosthetic fractures are the changes in our dental occlusion over time and the continuous stress applied to the prosthetic during chewing activities involving the front teeth. Additionally, prolonged occlusal interference can lead to fracture or detachment.

Is retreatment possible for old front tooth prosthetics?

Yes, it is possible. In the case presented in the article, an old front tooth prosthetic fractured and underwent retreatment. The treatment involves removing the existing prosthetic and fabricating and attaching a new one.

Is it difficult to match the color of a new front tooth prosthetic with existing teeth during retreatment?

No, it is not difficult. Dentists use a tool called a shade guide to try and find the closest possible color match to the surrounding teeth. This helps achieve natural-looking aesthetic results.

How long can front tooth prosthetics be used?

The lifespan of a prosthetic can vary depending on an individual's chewing force, lifestyle habits, and ongoing maintenance. Even the strongest materials can fracture after long-term use, so regular maintenance is crucial.

What is the process for front tooth prosthetic retreatment?

First, the existing prosthetic is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the fabrication of a new crown. Then, a shade guide is used to match the color with the surrounding teeth, and after a period of wearing a temporary tooth, the final prosthetic is attached.

Are there any precautions after front tooth prosthetic treatment?

Yes, continuous care is important even after the prosthetic is completed. Since dental occlusion can change over time, regular check-ups are recommended to monitor the condition of the prosthetic and manage its lifespan.