Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry

There are many reasons why adult teeth may need restorative treatment. The most common reason is decay, followed by fractured teeth, and old restorations needing replacement. If we recommend that a tooth with a cavity be treated and more than a few weeks pass after the initial diagnosis, the cavity will almost always get bigger and can cause pain. Once this happens, it will likely require more extensive and expensive treatment. The tooth may even have to be removed and replaced with a false (or artificial) tooth. If you have a cavity and it needs a restoration, there are different kinds of materials that may be used to restore the functionality of the tooth. Please remember that a tooth may need treatment before it causes pain. If a tooth causes pain, it may be able to be saved, but the treatment time and cost typically increase due to the complexity of the necessary procedures.

How a Cavity Forms

A cavity is a very small hole that forms on the surface, side, or root of a tooth. Cavities are caused when sugars in the food you eat combine with the bacteria in your mouth. This combination produces a mild acid that eats away at the enamel, the hard outer layer of your tooth. Cavities can occur at any age, but most occur during childhood when dental hygiene may be less thorough. There is a genetic component to dental health, including teeth, gums, and the bone that holds the teeth. No matter how good your genes are, if you don’t take good care of your teeth you may be prone to very serious consequences.

Babies tend to get cavities on the front teeth, especially if they are given a bottle to sleep with that contains sugars. This is referred to as baby bottle tooth decay. Children tend to get cavities on the chewing surfaces as well as in-between teeth. Adults can get new as well as recurrent cavities. New cavities tend to form in between teeth and on the root surfaces of teeth. Cavities that form between teeth typically occur due to infrequent and/or poor flossing. Cavities on the root surfaces of teeth occur due to the fact that the root surface of teeth are not covered with enamel and are therefore softer and more prone to cavities. Unlike the crown of a tooth, the root surface is not covered with enamel and is therefore softer and more prone to decay. Cavities that reoccur form next to existing restorations such as fillings, crowns, bridges, etc. As restorations get old, the filling material can shrink or wear away causing the possibility of a small space between the tooth and the restoration, which is a prime area for bacteria to accumulate, which is a breeding ground for recurrent decay. To do an experiment with fluoride to see how it helps fight cavities, please click here.

Cavities and Restoration Choices

As part of any visit to our office, we check all of your restorations such as crowns, fillings, bridges, veneers, etc. for any sign of decay or old age and we may recommend x-rays so that we can see inside and between your teeth. If we spot any cavities, we will recommend different options for restoring the tooth to full function. If it is just the very beginning of a cavity, we may even keep our eye on it and recommend a home fluoride rinse that can help the tooth remineralize and fight the decay process and possibly prevent a restoration from being necessary in the future.