Your experienced general dentist can repair your cavities. Assessing your teeth will come first. Then, the dentist will discuss the treatment options with you. Knowing which option can help you the most can prepare you for the visit. Here are the details about the different cavity treatments that your general dentist can discuss with you.
The chewing surfaces of the back teeth are prone to decay. Food particles and bacteria tend to get stuck in the grooves and pits of these surfaces. A general dentist will inspect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and treat the decayed parts. Then, covering the teeth with dental crowns will follow. This form of cavity treatment can stop the progress of decay and protect the teeth from future damage.
The general dentist can provide this quick cavity treatment. It takes one dental visit to fill the cavities. Small cavities will not need local anesthesia. The dentist will drill out the decayed parts and then clean the area.
Filling the cavities will follow. The general dentist will apply and mold the filling. Ultraviolet light will harden the filling. This treatment will prevent the decay from worsening and even protect the tooth from future decay or damage. Below are the common types of filling:
Dental decay can penetrate the enamel and reach into the pulp that contains nerves and blood vessels. The pain will be severe at this point. The general dentist can stop the pain through root canal therapy. The process will start by giving the patient a local anesthetic. The dentist can also provide a proper form of sedation if the patient needs it.
Creating an opening into the tooth will follow. Taking out the damaged pulp will be the next step. The general dentist will clean, disinfect, and dry the pulp chamber. Filling the pulp chamber with gutta-percha will seal it and prevent bacteria from entering the tooth. The dentist will place a dental crown over the treated tooth. This will keep the tooth together and shield it against future decay or trauma.
The general dentist will always aim to save one’s teeth. Dental decay can progress and reach the pulp cavity and into the dental root. When this happens, the dentist must remove the tooth. This is the last resort when it comes to treating cavities. Dental extraction aims to prevent the infection from spreading to the neighboring teeth or jawbone.
Dental impaction is a condition in which the tooth cannot erupt from the gum tissue. This makes the tooth prone to infection. The impacted tooth also grows and pushes against the neighboring teeth. The pressure can cause complications, such as severe pain and misalignment. The procedure may involve cutting the tooth into many pieces before taking them out one by one.
The general dentist may also discuss the proper ways of caring for filled teeth. The treatment will not have the same strength as before they were filled. That is why the treated teeth must receive proper care after getting the filling. Here are proper ways to care for a tooth after a cavity treatment:
Regular dental checks can prevent the development of cavities. These appointments can give the dentist a chance to provide cavity-preventive treatments, such as dental sealants. They can also treat cavities in their early stages. But teeth can develop severe damage if the cavities do not receive proper treatment. Working with your general dentist can spot the cavities and treat them without delay.
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