Exploring Your Treatment Options When Dealing with Tooth Decay

The natural bacteria living in your mouth are tenacious. When plaque and residual food particles become trapped in a textured area of tooth enamel, the chances of a cavity forming in that area greatly increases. This is even more likely to happen if you have natural pits and fissures on the biting surfaces of your back teeth, or one of your teeth has suffered a chip or minor fracture.

If a cavity does form on one of your teeth, you should have Island Dental’s dental team examine it as soon as possible.

If the cavity is still small in size, we might be able to simply remove the decayed enamel with a drill and then apply a standard filling. This will repair the structure and function of the tooth for many years to come.

If the cavity went undetected or otherwise allowed to spread, there might not be sufficient healthy enamel remaining to secure a filling in place. If this is the case Island Dental’s dentists might suggest replacing the entire enamel layer of the tooth with a crown.

If the cavity has allowed decay to penetrate deep into the tooth to the point that the pulp or root of the tooth has become infected, a root canal might be required. This will involve removing all compromised material from the tooth and rebuilding the lost structure with a material called gutta percha. Once this is done the tooth can be fitted for a crown.

If you suspect a cavity has formed on one of your teeth, you should not delay in contacting Island Dental’s office in Gilbert, Arizona at 480-725-3031 to set up an appointment.