Alexander Postolaki

Moldova

ANATOMO-FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE OF PROXIMAL CONTACT FACETS OF PERMANENT TEETH AND PERSPECTIVES OF NANO-RESTORATIVE THERAPY

Alexander Postolaki

Department of Orthopedic Dentistry “Ilarion Postolaki”, State University Medicine and Farmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu”, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Background

Dental caries occupies the leading place in the world among dental diseases of the dento-maxillary system (DMS). Dental caries is the cause of various complica-tions (pulpitis, periodontitis, etc.), including occlusal disorders. Dental occlusion is an important condition for the normal functioning of the DMS. Biomechanics helps to better understand the structure and function of biological systems (Peck C. C., 2016). Normally, each tooth has its own path of motion (regardless of the direction of force) and this is related to the topography and degree of intra-proximal contact (Kohsaka Y., 1987). However, unlike occlusal abrasion, inter-proximal abrasion, as a dynamic, long-term process, has received limited scien-tific attention, although it has important clinical significance (Sarig R. et al., 2014). For successful dental rehabilitation, proximal contact points (PCP) play an important role (Almalki A.D., Al-Rafee M.A., 2019).

Methods

The microarchitectonics of proximal contact facets (PCF) in permanent teeth ex-tracted for medical reasons was investigated using a digital portable USB micro-scope.

Results

The morphology and area of the PCF from anterior to posterior teeth varies nat-urally as a result of the difference in function performed. However, their complex microrelief has common features. They represent several concave facets of differ-ent shapes and sizes, separated by enamel scallops, resembling articular surfaces. Their number increases towards the lateral teeth. Frontal teeth are characterised by longitudinal facets, lateral teeth by transverse facets.

Conclusions

Proximal contact restoration remains a serious, sometimes, difficult problem (Almalki A.D., Al-Rafee M.A., 2019; Alhassan M.A., Bajunaid S.O., 2020). Of the minimally invasive treatments, inlay restorations (Deshpande P.M. et al., 2016) or the use of sectional matrices combined with spacer rings in direct resto-rations (Almalki A.D., Al-Rafee M.A., 2019) are able to provide proximal contact density. The clinical goals in the era of minimally invasive adhesive dentistry have become prevention, preservation and co-preservation of teeth (Terry D.A., 2005; Malterud M.I., 2006). The biological task of nanodentistry is to develop a nanomaterial that provides compatibility with all features of the human body (Yip K.H., 2004; Verma S.K. et al., 2010) and, consequently, has higher biomi-metic properties for full restoration of microarchitectonics and functionality of the PCP.