Tooth decay is a prevalent dental issue that affects individuals across all age groups. It results from the destruction of tooth enamel, which is the hard outer layer of our teeth.
This process often begins with plaque formation on your teeth – a sticky film laden with bacteria. When we consume food or drinks rich in sugars, these bacteria produce acids that aggressively attack our tooth enamel. Due to plaque’s stickiness, these harmful acids remain in contact with our teeth for prolonged periods, gradually breaking down the enamel and leading to cavity formation.
The outcome is a small hole in your tooth; this marks the onset of cavitation. As individuals grow older, they may experience gum recession away from their teeth coupled with an increased incidence of gum disease. This exposes tooth roots to plaque and further accelerates decay since tooth roots are covered by cementum – a softer tissue than enamel prone to rapid decay.
Early signs of tooth decay can be reversible with good oral hygiene and preventive efforts. But cavities will require treatment from a dentist to amend. Once you understand the progression of tooth decay, you can feel more inclined to seek the restorative dental treatment your smile needs.
The Solution: Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry plays an instrumental role in addressing damaged or missing teeth resulting from cavitation, among other causes. Driven by advancements in restorative procedures, it’s possible today to even save those teeth deemed unsavable previously.
The primary objective here is restoring lost or damaged natural oral function while preserving natural tooth structure as much as possible. When you lose this structure in your smile, you see compromises in the tooth’s stability, inviting complications like bone loss, among others.
Treating a cavity in a timely fashion will ensure your smile stays beautiful and full. You can retain the gorgeous, bright appearance of the tooth, retain its function, and reduce the risk of tooth loss. Furthermore, restorative care can be cost-effective in the long run as it helps prevent further oral health issues.
Treatment Options for Tooth Decay
Consultations with comprehensive dentists like Dr. Joseph Thompson allow for the evaluation of individual needs and the creation of personalized treatment plans to restore oral health wellness. Treatment for your case of tooth decay will depend on the severity of the condition. A dentist can determine the extent of your dental damage with x-ray imaging.
If you have a cavity, a dentist will need to remove the damaged part of the tooth. Then, they will restore the tooth’s structure by filling the resulting hole with composite resin. The resin hardens to create a seal over the vulnerable part of the tooth. The dental filling can stay in place for about ten years.
More advanced cases of decay may need more coverage and protection than a filling can offer. In this case, the dentist can give the patient a dental crown. This is a ceramic cap that fits over the entire surface of the tooth. Do not delay treating tooth decay – give your restorative dentist a call today.