Definition and Causes of Open Contact
- Open contact is a term used in dentistry to describe the space between adjacent teeth.
- Open contacts can occur naturally or due to dental restorations.
- Causes of open contacts include teeth erupting into a nonideal occlusion, shifting of teeth due to tooth loss, inadequately contoured dental restorations, poor oral hygiene practices, and lack of regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
Consequences of Open Contact
- Open contacts can cause food packing or impaction, leading to pain.
- Bacteria can accumulate in open contacts, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
- Gum inflammation and periodontal diseases can develop due to open contacts.
- Open contacts can affect the stability and alignment of adjacent teeth.
Importance of Oral Hygiene
- Maintaining cleanliness of open contacts is crucial.
- Dental floss is an essential tool for cleaning open contacts.
- Regular brushing and flossing can prevent food packing and impaction.
- Incorporating an oral hygiene protocol is necessary to address open contacts.
References
- Section 51 - Restorative Contours provides information on open contacts.
- Scully C's book, 'Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine,' discusses open contacts.
- The dentistry article on open contacts is available on Wikipedia.
- Additional information on open contacts can be found by expanding the stub article.
- Open contacts are categorized under dentistry stubs and periodontal disorders.
An open contact is a term used in dentistry to describe the space between adjacent teeth when the teeth are neither touching nor a sufficient distance from each other to potentially allow the space to naturally remain free of debris.
Open contacts can exist naturally, such as when teeth erupt into a nonideal occlusion or when they shift as a result of tooth loss. They are also frequently produced as a result of inadequately contoured dental restorations.
An open contact may lead to a phenomenon termed food packing/food impaction, which can be a cause of pain.
