Dental problems can be of different nature, and there are many ways to solve them. So, gutta-percha pins can help in preserving a tooth prone to decay, strengthen the root and thereby give the opportunity to refuse removal.
What are pins?
The teeth are destroyed for various reasons: caries, poor hygiene, metabolic disorders, poor nutrition, mechanical injuries and chips. A damaged tooth does not have to be removed; it can be repaired. Even if only the root was left there, there is a way to restore it - dental pins. This design, which is a rod, is fixed in the root canals and serves as a support for the restored tooth. There are times when installing a pin is the only possible solution. Indications for use:
- the crown of the tooth is destroyed by 50% or more,
- the tooth is completely destroyed, but the root remains intact,
- a pin as a support for a crown or other type of removable and fixed prostheses.
The pin resembles the shape and purpose of the implant. That's just the implants are installed in the gum and jawbone, and the pin in the root canals. For the manufacture of pins, various materials are used: metal, ceramics, fiberglass, carbon fiber. For over a century, gutta-percha pins have been used, which still have not lost their relevance.
Gutta-percha as a material for pins
Gutta-percha is obtained by processing latex. This material is solid, but ductile, perfect for sealing canals. At high temperature, the mass becomes soft and viscous, it fills not only the main channel, but also its branches, completely closing the passages. At the same time, treatment is quick and with minimal risk of complications. Existing forms of gutta-percha are alpha and beta. Gutta-percha pins are made mainly from the beta form: it has a more suitable consistency.
Advantages and disadvantages of gutta-percha pins
In addition to its malleable, plastic form, which makes it easy to completely fill the tooth canals, gutta-percha has several more advantages.
- It is well compatible biologically with tooth tissues.
- It has strength and at the same time elasticity.
- The material is non-toxic and hypoallergenic.
- When hardening takes the desired shape.
- With prolonged wear, it does not wear off, does not absorb, and does not collapse.
- It is possible to extract material from the root canals, if necessary.
- Affordable price.
- On the x-ray, you can fully see the gutta-percha pin, the photo displays all the branches of the channels, which allows the dentist to evaluate the result of treatment and, if necessary, correct defects.
Gutta-percha pins and flaws are not without:
- Gutta-percha has no adhesion to hard tooth tissue.
- It does not have bactericidal properties.
- It is difficult to install due to its high ductility. In obtaining a qualitative result, the professionalism of the doctor plays a huge role.
Features of gutta-percha pins
Gutta-percha pins in dentistry vary in size, are large and small. They have a special number that indicates thickness. According to the condition of the tooth and the canal, the dentist determines what size and thickness to use the pin in a particular case.
They are also divided into standard and non-standard. Some are made according to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards, others differ in shape - they are thicker and shorter, with a narrower tip.
Gutta-percha pins are 20% beta-gutta-percha. Most, about 75%, are the base of the pin made of zinc oxide. The remaining 5% are auxiliary components: dyes, plasticizers, and also the substance due to which the pin is clearly visible on the x-ray.
Methods of filling. Cold gutta percha
Gutta-percha pins are used to fill the root canals using two types of technology - work is carried out with hot or cold material. During hot filling, the material is first heated, and then placed in the channel. When cold, gutta-percha is heated after its laying in the root.
Filling cold gutta-percha, in turn, can be done in four ways:
- With one pin. It is used in conjunction with a special paste, which many dentists prefer to fill the canals. At the same time, a paste is applied to the channel walls and a corresponding pin is inserted in size, after which the excess part is cut off with a hot tool. Since gutta-percha is used in cold form, it is hard, and it penetrates into the canals of the tooth, a paste serves to fill the latter.
- The method of lateral condensation. The pins are placed in the channels until they completely occupy the free space. Here, one can’t do without a lot of dentist skill and experience, since with a poorly placed pins, a root fracture can occur.
- Thermomechanical condensation. The technique is rarely used, it has many disadvantages. To fill the channel with pins, a rotating mechanism is used, which does not guarantee a qualitative result, therefore there is a high risk of damage to the channels.
- Filling gutta-percha, softened by the action of chemicals. Previously, this method was used in dentistry, but now they forgot about it, since it has a lot of disadvantages.
Hot gutta percha
What are hot gutta-percha pins? A description of this method is presented in detail below. Note that there are four options for such treatment:
- Injection method. The material is heated to 200 degrees, which leads to its liquid state, and introduced into the channel. This method allows you to completely fill all the moves and branches. The technique is widely used in dentistry.
- Thermophile system. The modern method allows you to quickly and with the slightest effort close all the branches of the channel, even the smallest. Gutta-percha in liquid form is supplied under pressure through a special plastic rod. This method is also called volumetric.
- Vertical condensation. It provides complete tightness of the channels, but this process is complex and time-consuming, it takes a lot of time.
- Syringe feed. The method is simple and quick, but does not guarantee complete filling, moreover, gutta-percha may not even reach the end of the channel, which will subsequently cause complications.