You might want to head to a general dentist if you find yourself dealing with a cavity. Cavities are tiny holes that form on teeth because of tooth decay. Acids created by oral bacteria eat away at teeth surfaces, creating those tiny holes. Other symptoms include reoccurring toothaches, increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods, and bad breath.
Cavities do not disappear on their own when left untreated. An untreated cavity will continue to expand until it leaves the tooth’s pulp chamber compromised. It can even lead to most of the visible part of the tooth falling out or an infection.
The severity of a patient’s cavity determines how a general dentist decides to approach fixing it. Commonly used treatment options include the following.
Fillings are used to close up cavities, preventing them from further expanding. The process involves removing decayed material from the tooth, cleaning the area, and applying the putty-like filling to the tooth.
Composite bonding is a more popular option than fillings because it can be color-matched with the patient’s teeth, unlike silver amalgam fillings. Bonding can be used to close up cavities and repair teeth structures that have been damaged by decay.
This treatment infuses a patient’s teeth with fluoride, re-mineralizing it. Fluoride treatments can reverse tooth decay if performed during the early stage of decay. The treatment involves biting down on a mouth tray that has been filled with a fluoride solution.
Crowns are typically recommended when a cavity has severely damaged a tooth. A crown can be used to hold the tooth together so it does not fall apart, and it protects the tooth from further decay. A crown also restores the appearance and function of the tooth it covers.
Think of these as partial crowns that are recommended when a cavity is too large to be fixed with a filling, but not quite damaged enough for a crown. Onlays and inlays are made in dental labs just like crowns, and they are cemented to the patient’s teeth.
Root canals are performed when a cavity has reached a tooth’s pulp chamber. The area contains the tooth’s nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissues. These soft tissues are vulnerable to infection when left exposed to irritants in the mouth. A root canal cleans out the pulp chamber and seals the tooth back up. Teeth that have been repaired with a root canal are typically covered with crowns to protect them.
If a cavity is left untreated, the tooth might become infected. A tooth infection that threatens to spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream might prompt a dentist to recommend an extraction.
Dealing with one or more cavities? Call or stop by our Selma clinic to learn more about your treatment options.
Request an appointment here: https://www.selmasunshinedental.com or call Selma Sunshine Dental at (559) 257-4080 for an appointment in our Selma office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Selma, CA.
General dentistry consists of a lot of routine oral health care, which also happens to include restoring teeth that are in bad shape due to damage. Common damage may include cracks, chips, or cavities, all of which can be addressed with the help of different dental restorations. Continue reading to find out what dental restoration…
A general dentist performs most of the treatments commonly used in dentistry. These oral professionals spend most of their time performing preventative treatments, like tooth cleanings, but they also perform more complex treatments, like root canals. A general dentist also serves as an educator, teaching patients how to properly take care of their teeth and…
A general dentist is someone who helps individuals maintain a healthy oral cavity, and that includes performing root canal therapy as needed. Root canals are a procedure that often strikes anxiety in individuals because it was once said to be painful; however, that is actually far from true! Modern-day dentistry has allowed for quite the…
Your first visit to a new dental office can be a time of great anxiety, especially since you do not know what to expect. The good news is that going to a new dentist is simple, and by understanding what the first visit will entail, you can make sure you are prepared. The dentist will…
A smile makeover is a combination of treatments performed primarily to improve the aesthetics of…
Visiting a new dental office is a great way to take charge of your oral…
Seeing a preventive dentist is a vital part of your oral healthcare routine each year.
Dental crowns, or tooth caps, are a common dental restoration for fixing broken, cracked, or…
A full mouth reconstruction offers you the chance to enjoy good health and the appearance…
General dentists recommend dental sealants when individuals are looking to protect their teeth against cavities.
