A few years ago, I started thinking carefully about what I could do to improve my smile. I had lived with crooked, yellowed teeth for most of my adult life, and honestly, I just wanted to feel beautiful. I started thinking about working with a cosmetic dentist, and before I knew it, I was in an office getting a complimentary consultation. I learned about a variety of different procedures that could improve my look, and it was really fun. I wanted to create a blog all about making smiles more beautiful, which is why I made this website. Check out this blog for great information about dentistry.
Tooth decay is a significant problem among people of all ages. Decay occurs when the enamel of the teeth becomes damaged from exposure to bacterial acids.
Oral bacteria release acid as they digest carbohydrates from leftover food particles in the mouth. The acids demineralize the tooth enamel, causing holes or cavities to form. As the cavities grow in size, they can penetrate the layers of the tooth that lies beneath the enamel.
As a cavity breaches the dentin layer of the tooth material, the dental patient may experience an increase in dental sensitivity. The dentin contains tiny canals, which are called tubules. These tubules lead to the dental nerves.
As the tubules are uncovered and exposed to changes in temperature, the patient may notice painful sensations in the teeth. This pain is further exacerbated if the cavity reaches the center of the tooth.
The pulp is the material that rests in the center of a tooth and houses the dental nerves and blood vessels. Once oral bacteria gain access to the pulp, the nerves of the tooth may become increasingly inflamed, causing excruciating pain. In order to stop the pain and growth of a cavity, the tooth must be treated.
There are several applications that a dentist may use to treat a cavity. Here are a few of them.
Dental Fillings
A filling is used to fill a hole in the tooth that has been caused by a cavity. Before the hole is filled, the decayed portion of the tooth material is removed.
The dentist may elect the type of filling material based on the cosmetic needs of the patient and the size and location of the cavity. Cavities that are located in the back of the mouth may be filled with metallic materials, such as gold or silver amalgam. However, tooth-colored materials, such as resin or porcelain are more likely to be used for teeth in the front of the mouth. Small cavities may be filled with a dental bonding material.
Dental Extractions
In some instances, a cavity grows so large that a tooth cannot be salvaged. In these instances, the tooth must be extracted. If a decayed tooth can be pulled from the mouth without cutting the gums, a simple extraction may be used to excise the tooth. However, if only a bit of the tooth remains above the surface of the gums, the dentist may have to cut the gingival tissues to remove the tooth, necessitating a surgical extraction.
If you have a cavity, contact a dental clinic like Dental Studios of MacArthur in your local area for treatment.
Share10 January 2018
