Dental Fusion Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Dental fusion is a disorder in which two teeth join together at the protective layer of teeth (enamel), the substance between the coating and the root (dentin) or between the two. Dental fusion can occur in both permanent and baby teeth and is most common in the front teeth.
Tooth fusion is the result of the fusion of two developing seeds. This disease is a peculiarity of the teeth and some studies suggest that the pressure generated during development causes the contact of the initially formed teeth to adjoin each other.
The size of the teeth that undergo fusion will experience abnormalities. In addition, the shape and structure of the teeth will also be different from normal. Dental fusion can also occur on one side or both sides of the jaw, but is more common in baby teeth than permanent teeth.
Problems that occur when dental fusion disease is not treated immediately are problems related to dental aesthetics. Because complications that occur can be in the form of cavities, causing difficulties in various dental treatments.
Symptoms
Dental fusion can be known by looking at the condition of the teeth where there are two teeth joined into one. On radiographic examination, it will appear that the joined parts are the enamel layer (the outermost layer of the hard tooth tissue) and the dentine (the second layer of the hard tooth tissue). In patients with dental fusion, there is usually only one space in the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves, but can also be separated into two.
Reason
There are still differences of opinion among experts regarding the causes of dental fusion. Some say this is caused by the merging of two tooth seeds, heredity, race and some say it happened by chance.
Diagnosis
An examination can begin with clinical and radiological examinations. Fusiond teeth are very similar in shape to gemination (see gemination). To tell the difference, it is enough to count the total number of teeth. If it turns out that the number is less than normal, it can be ascertained that the abnormality is tooth fusion.
A CT scan can be done to see the condition of the root and pulp chamber, namely the cavity under the dentin layer which is between the protective layer and the tooth root. When a person is affected by tooth fusion, the condition of the roots of the teeth can be separated or fused, far from normal.
Treatment
Patients with dental fusion are advised to make a visit to the dentist as early as possible. The treatment depends on the location and extent, so the way of treatment is quite varied and involves dentists from various concentrations.
Various fields of dentistry that participate in the treatment of dental fusion are dentists who specialize in oral structure (periodontics), dental harmony (orthodontics) and specialists in the prevention and control of caries and dental aesthetics (conservation). The treatment provided includes fillings at the line where the two crowns meet to prevent caries from occurring in that area.