This case gives a good view of how we can fix a damaged molar tooth with a direct fibre reinforced composite in a single visit with little or no damage to the remaining tooth tissue. I completed this case this afternoon and was pleased with the aesthetic and functional outcome. The patient was pleased that the tooth could be fixed in a single visit and for a lower cost than if we had to use a cast restoration such as a crown or an overlay. (A cast restoration requires two visits to complete usually and comes at an increased cost that reflects the additional time required and the fees charged by the laboratory for maxing the crown or overlay).
It is important that we treat each tooth the with the ideal restoration so as not to leave it vulnerable to further fracture or decay either of which would cause more problems for the tooth and the patient. In this case the remaining tooth tissue was sufficient robust to be able to support a direct fibre reinforced composite like this so no cast restoration was required. If the remaining tooth tissue was not so strong then a cast restoration would be the correct treatment and placing a restoration such as the one shown would have been a “false economy” that could lead to a costly early failure of the restoration or the tooth or both.
Often the best time to make the decision about how to restore the tooth is when all of the old filling, decay and weakened tooth tissue has been removed as it is only at this time that we can be sure about how strong the remaining tooth tissue is. Before I treat a tooth like this I will have taken a close up radiograph of the roots to check that there are no problems here and I will have carried out a simple “vitality” test on the tooth to check that it responds within in a normal range to gentle stimulation compared to the adjacent teeth. So long as the tooth passes these tests then we can proceed with a treatment visit to remove the old filling and see how best to restore the tooth. Before this visit I will have given a written estimate of costs outlining what a direct FRC restoration is likely to cost and what cast restoration is likely to cost so that the patient has an idea of the upper and lower costs of the treatment visit. By approaching each case in this manner we have the best chance of providing the ideal solution to each tooth.
If you would like to know more about this sort of treatment and how it might benefit you then please do not hesiate to contact the surgery on 01580752202 and we will be happy to help
