Nobody wants dental decay, yet so many of us have it. Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the enamel of your teeth that turn into tiny openings or holes. Cavities (also called caries) have numerous causes, including bacteria in your mouth, inadequate dental hygiene, frequent snacking, and food and beverages that are high in sugar, acid and starch.
Routine exams and cleanings at the office of Ripon Plaza Dental help fight cavities. When you need dental care, don’t hesitate to see us. Our highly skilled and personable staff will help you make informed decisions about the treatment that’s best for you.
Tooth decay is a problem for anyone who has teeth. If they aren’t treated, they get bigger and go into deeper layers of teeth. Only a dental professional can treat cavities. How a dentist treats a cavity depends on its severity.
Remineralization
Saliva includes minerals that help replace the calcium and phosphorous deleted by early stages of tooth decay. A dentist can apply a fluoride treatment that will help reverse the initial effects of the decay.
Restoration
Tooth decay that’s progressed will likely need restorative treatment. The dentist will remove the decay and fill the formerly contaminated area with a filling made of porcelain, silver amalgam or composite resin. If the decay is extensive and there’s not enough untarnished tooth left, the dentist will cover the tooth with a crown (also known as a cap).
Root canal therapy
If the decay has reached and infected a tooth’s pulp, the tooth may require a root canal. The dentist takes out the pulp, cleans and disinfects the the tooth's roots’ canals, seals the spaces with filling and covers the tooth with a permanent crown.
Removal
If a tooth is so damaged that it can’t be salvaged, will will be extracted and replaced with an implant, a fixed bridge or a removable partial denture.
Cavities are common but you can try to avoid them if you practice superior oral hygiene and see your dentist regularly. Everyone at the office of Ripon Plaza Dental is committed to excellence by using our state-of-the-art technology and high-quality tools. Please call us to arrange an appointment.
