What Exactly is a Cavity? And What Does the Dentist Do If I Have One?

Simply put, a cavity is a hole in your tooth that is caused when acid in your mouth eats through the enamel. Along with cavities, dentists also repair worn or broken teeth, and the treatments that we use differ depending on the extent of the damage to your teeth and the results that we want to achieve. These are the different options that we have to choose from:

Fillings – These are used to repair a hole caused either by a cavity or tooth wear. The decayed and weakened part of the tooth is removed, the hole is cleaned and sometimes a resin is painted inside of the tooth to protect the blood vessels and tiny nerves. The hole is then packed with filling material, which either hardens within the first few minutes, or is hardened by the use of a blue light. The filling materials we use are all tooth-colored, which means the fillings blend in with your teeth and won’t detract from your smile.

Crowns – If the cavity in your tooth is large or if the tooth has been weakened or broken, we use a crown which fits over your tooth like a cap. First, the decay is removed and then by using the advanced technology of Cerec, we are able to create the porcelain crowns in our office and can be applied the same day. For those patients who grind their teeth, we use a metal infused porcelain crown. In these cases, online cheap viagra the crown is created in a dental laboratory and when the finished crown is received back in our office, we apply it to your prepared tooth.

Inlays and Onlays – Both inlays and onlays are similar to fillings, but like some crowns they are created in a laboratory and then cemented to your tooth. An inlay goes on the biting surface while an onlay covers a larger portion of a tooth. Since inlays and onlays are very strong and more durable than fillings, they can often be the best option when we are repairing teeth like molars that are used for chewing and grinding.

Root Cialis Professional Fillings (Also known as Root Canals) – At the very center of each tooth there is a core of nerves and blood vessels in an area that is called a ‘root canal.’ When a cavity is very deep or if an injury has destroyed some of the tissue in the center, the tooth becomes prone to infection. This sometimes results in an abscess, which is an area of pus that forms in the root canal.

When this happens, that area has to be cleaned before the tooth can be repaired and filled. Once the area is cleaned, we place a temporary filling in the root canal to ensure that all infection has been removed before the permanent filling or crown is placed on your tooth.

Veneers – If a tooth has been broken or chipped, a veneer (a thin layer of porcelain that is tooth-colored) is placed over the surface of your tooth to strengthen it and to cover the broken or chipped area. Veneers are created in a dental lab from a mold of your tooth or teeth that are being repaired. When the veneer is done, we cement it to your tooth (or teeth) where it will last for many years.

Bridges, Implants, Partials and Full Dentures – When a tooth has to be pulled because of excessive damage, one of these options can be used to replace your missing tooth or teeth, depending on the number of teeth we are replacing and the condition of your gums and jaw bone.

The best approach is always to try to avoid dental cavities, but when they do occur, see your dentist Kamagra Gold as soon as you can so that your teeth can be repaired and returned to being strong and healthy. Kind regards, Fall Creek Dentistry

Author Bio: Dr. Greenaway attended Indiana University Dental School and graduated with honors in 1999. In addition to taking care of her patients at Fall Creek Dentistry, she has traveled to Romania, Kosovo, and Honduras to provide dental outreach.

Leave a Reply