With very thin teeth, what is a potential consequence of preparation?

When dealing with very thin teeth during dental preparation, two significant consequences can arise: exposing the pulp and leaving a severely weakened tooth.

First, if the enamel and dentin are already minimal due to thinness, the act of preparing the tooth—removing additional structure to create space for a restoration—can inadvertently lead to pulp exposure. The pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, is situated at the core of the tooth. If the preparation is too aggressive, it can breach this protective layer, potentially leading to pain, sensitivity, or even pulpitis.

Second, the structural integrity of a tooth that is already thin can be compromised further by the preparation process. By removing even small amounts of tooth structure, the remaining tooth may become more fragile and prone to fractures. This is crucial, as a weakened tooth can exacerbate problems with its ability to support restorations and may eventually lead to the need for more extensive treatments.

Considering both these potential outcomes provides a clear understanding of the risk involved with preparing very thin teeth, justifying the selection of the option stating both concerns as potential consequences.