In dental practice, cases of the appearance of fistulas on the gums, or, as they are called, dental fistulas are not uncommon. This is a rather serious pathology, it is impossible to delay with treatment. But before the beginning of treatment it is necessary to establish the cause of this phenomenon.
What is the fistula on the gum?
Fistula is an opening on the gum associated with an inflammation focus localized at the top of the root of one of the teeth. It is a peculiar channel for purulent discharge from the affected focus. As a rule, the fistula appears in the projection of the apex of the root of the diseased tooth.
Determine the disease can be with a routine examination at the dentist, as well as with the radiography of the tooth. Radiography is performed to obtain a complete picture of the disease.
Fistula of the gums - symptoms:
- toothache, aggravated by chewing or touching the tooth;
- increased mobility of the tooth;
- puffiness and redness of the gums above the tooth;
- purulent discharge from the fistula.
The causes of fistula formation on the gum
Inflammatory process in the area of the root of the tooth, leading to the formation of a fistula, can begin because of the following reasons.
Untimely treatment of caries and pulpitis
If the caries treatment is not performed in a timely and proper manner, this leads first to pulpitis, and then to periodontitis. In pulpitis, the inflammatory process affects only the pulp of the tooth, but without treatment, the infection from the pulp gradually penetrates into the apex of the root of the tooth, where the focus of purulent inflammation begins to develop.
Poor root canal filling
Seeding of the root canals is usually done with the treatment of periodontitis, pulpitis , as well as when preparing the teeth for the establishment of crowns. As practice shows, this procedure is performed in some cases poorly. Namely, in most cases, the filling is not done to the top of the tooth root, as required.
As a consequence, an infectious-inflammatory process develops in the undersplanted part of the canal, which gradually extends beyond the tooth and causes purulent inflammation (periodontal purulent abscess). Also, poor-quality sealing can be due to the fact that the lumen of the root canals is not filled tightly enough with a filling substance - there are pores and voids along the channel.
Erroneous perforation of the root of the tooth
The perforation of the tooth is a nonphysiological opening in the tooth, mistakenly made by the dentist while working with the root canals. Such apertures also cause the development of a vast purulent inflammatory process with the subsequent appearance of a fistulous channel on the gum.
Untimely teething wisdom wisdom
Delaying or complicating the process of teething can lead to gum disease and an increase in size. Permanent injury to the tooth opposite from the outside and the germinating tooth from the inside causes a purulent process and the formation of a fistula.
What is dangerous fistula on the gum?
Left without proper attention for a long time, fistula on the gums threatens with negative consequences:
- loss of tooth;
- destruction of gums and soft tissues located near the affected tooth;
- sprouting fistula outward with soft tissue damage to the face;
- defeat of the periosteum.
Fistula treatment on the gum
To date, a lot of modern methods are used to treat dental fistula: laser exposure, electric cauterization, ultrasound method, etc. Medication is prescribed without fail, namely, treatment of the fistula on the gum with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs . If the fistula is heavy, surgical treatment is prescribed.