Cavities are among the leading dental issues worldwide. Most people choose to regard them as a painful inconvenience that can be handled using over-the-counter medications and home-based treatments. Cavities, however, need a specialized treatment procedure. This removes the damaged tooth structure, repairs the damaged section, and stops the pain associated with cavities.
Types of Dental Cavities
No one in Upland, CA likes root canal service. Even so, this might be the only treatment option depending on the type of cavities. The types of tooth cavities include smooth surface, pit and fissure, and root cavities. Root cavities are quite common in adults and they occur on dental roots following a gum recession. Pit and fissure decay affects the chewing surface of the back teeth, while smooth surface decay affects flat tooth surfaces.
Available Treatment Options
Dental experts will always choose the least invasive treatment whenever possible. It all depends on how severe the dental cavities are. Here are the treatment options a dentist will offer when dealing with dental caries.
Fillings
These are the most common treatment for moderate and severe cavities. When getting the filling, a dentist will drill into the diseased tooth and remove the decayed tissues in the hole. Treatment is completed by filling the space with a material that strengthens the tooth structure and protects the inner tooth. Composite resin, silver, and gold fillings are commonly used nowadays. Silver and gold fillings are strong and are often used for back teeth. Composite resin is used on front teeth since it has a natural tooth color.
Crowns
These are used for extreme cases of dental cavities where a significant portion of your dental structure is lost. A dentist might, at times, use large fillings for the same cavities, but these are prone to cracking and breaking. With dental crowns, the interior structure of your intact tooth structure is cleaned, and the parts that can be saved are repaired. A porcelain or alloy crown will then be used to cover the tooth and strengthen it while restoring its functionality.
Root Canal
This addresses tooth cavities that are too deep to be effectively handled with other treatment options. These are cavities that progress through the protective enamel of your tooth and settle in its center. In most cases, these will damage your dental nerves and cause excruciating pain. In a root canal procedure, the impaired nerve and its adjacent blood vessel or pulp are removed. The area is then filled using an endodontic sealant and covered with a crown.
Extraction
This is usually the last treatment option. It is reserved for severe cavities with an increased risk of destruction of dental tissues and jawbone infection. The gap following the extraction is filled using a partial denture, implant, or bridge to preserve your oral functionality and avert jawbone shrinking.
Treat Before It’s Too Late
Home-based remedies might initially seem like an inexpensive alternative to the above treatments for dental cavities. Unfortunately, they generally delay the optimal treatment of a cavity and result in extensive tooth damage that costs even more to treat. A registered dental clinic with trained professionals is your best choice when faced with all degrees and types of tooth cavities.
