Fix Cavities

Tooth decay is a common problem but there are a number of options available to treat decay and cavities. At your routine dental cleaning and exam, your dentist will check your teeth to see if there is any visible damage and ask if you are experiencing any sensitivity or pain. They will also use their instruments to make sure they do not detect any soft areas in your enamel and study your x-rays for any sign of decay under the surface and between teeth (interproximal).

If a small area of decay is left untreated, it can grow and cause a lot of problems down the road so the sooner your dentist is able to catch decay, the less costly and less invasive your restorative treatment will be! This is why it is important to allow your dental office to take check-up x-rays of your posterior teeth once per year, at most every two years. Radiation from x-rays is minimal and it can save you a lot of pain and grief in the long run!

How your dentist chooses to treat your decay depends greatly on the extent of the decay. In the first stage, decay may be reversible using better oral hygiene and incorporating fluoride products into your home care routine. Your dentist can even make fluoride trays for you to wear for a little bit every day to help reduce symptoms. Some treatment options that may be presented to you upon later stages of decay may include:

  • Tooth colored restorations: “Fillings” are the first choice of treatment for minor decay. Once the decay is drilled out and the tooth is free of infection, a composite material tinted to match your teeth is used to fill the hole left behind and polished to a smooth finish.
  • Porcelain onlays: Onlays are made from porcelain and are ideal for occlusal decay on your molars when a simple composite filling will not be sufficient.
  • Porcelain or metal dental crowns: Crowns are used to extensive decay or to save a tooth that has cracked! They are also a common treatment when a tooth has had root canal treatment. A crown covers the entire surface of the tooth to just below the gumline. Porcelain crowns can be tinted to match your teeth but sometimes, a crown made from a base metal is a good option for patients with an unusually strong bite who may repeatedly break a porcelain crown.
  • Root canal therapy: If decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, you may require root canal treatment to clear out the infection. A root canal will remove the nerves and infected tissue of the tooth and you will not have any pain. After a root canal is completed, your dentist will fill the canals and place a crown on the tooth to protect it.
  • Tooth extractions: If a tooth has decayed or fractured to the point that it is deemed hopeless, you will need to have the tooth extracted to avoid further infection in your jawbone. An extracted tooth can be restored with either a dental bridge or a dental implant.

More on Fixing Impacted Teeth