How Do Dentists Fix Cavities?

Cavities are the most common chronic condition in adults and children in the United States.  

Also known as dental caries, cavities are holes in the teeth. These holes develop when bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and starches from food and drinks. As they feed, the bacteria produce acids that remove minerals and break down the tough layer of enamel that protects teeth. The erosion creates small holes, or cavities. At this stage, cavities are painless, so the infection may go unnoticed.

Left untreated, the holes will deepen and eventually pass through the enamel and into the layer of dentin below. The infection may spread to the dental pulp deep inside, and even to the roots that hold the tooth in the jaw. At these later stages, cavities can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.  

Fortunately, your dentist can fix your cavity quickly and easily.  

How a Dentist in Clayton Fixes Cavities

Evaluate the cavity

Great dental care always starts with an evaluation to determine the best treatment option for the patient. Many dentists still use traditional dental x-rays to find cavities, while some use advanced technology such as dental lasers, which can find evidence of cavities in their earliest stages, when they are easiest to treat.

Finding and treating a cavity early is important for a couple of reasons. First, treatment for a small cavity is faster and easier than treatment for advanced tooth decay. Next, filling a cavity is less expensive than a root canal. The average root canal cost is anywhere from $1000 to $1600, depending on the location of the tooth and the amount of restoration the tooth needs. A composite filling costs $100 to $350, by comparison, offering significant savings.  

Depending on the findings, your dentist may recommend tooth-colored fillings or a root canal to treat cavities.  

Numb the treatment area as needed

Your dentist will numb the area to make treatment more comfortable. Numbing the treatment area may not be necessary in dental offices use laser dentistry.

If you have dental anxiety or have a particularly long or complex procedure, you may benefit from a mild sedation dentistry technique like nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation to improve your overall dental experience.  

Remove the decayed portion of the tooth

The dentist will use special tools and advanced technology to remove the decayed portion of the tooth. This step is vital in stopping the spread of the infection and will help prevent any further pain you may be feeling.

Many dental offices still use drills to remove tooth decay. With more advanced technology, dentists can use lasers to kill the bacteria; they may use state-of-the-art drills to smooth any rough or oddly shaped areas to keep your smile and your bite at their best.  

Perform root canal therapy as needed

Infection can go beyond the tooth enamel and deep into the inner structures of the tooth. Sometimes, the infection can go into the root canal, which is a hollow space in the roots that hold the tooth in the jaw. Root canal therapy is a tooth-saving procedure that can relieve pain.  

Protect the treated tooth

Removing any amount of enamel, even for a necessary treatment, can make the tooth more vulnerable to future cavities or damage. Your dentist may recommend a tooth-colored filling or a crown, depending on how much of the tooth remains: a filling works for teeth that still have plenty of tooth enamel and structure left after removing the decayed material, but a crown may be necessary if most of the tooth is gone. A dental crown can also help improve the tooth’s survival after a root canal procedure.

Your emergency dentist in Clayton can also provide same-day crowns if you need a root canal procedure in a hurry.  

Think You Might Have a Cavity? Give Us a Call

Dr. Brown was voted Best Dental Office in the East Bay for good reason! The entire team at Austin K. Brown, DDS lets kindness and excellence drive everything they do, creating a warm, welcoming, and enjoyable. If you think you might have a cavity, don’t wait until it gets worse. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online today!

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