How to Repair a Cavity

Treatment at the dentist for a cavity may include:

• Fluoride treatments: Professional fluoride treatments contain more fluoride than toothpaste and mouth rinses you can buy at a store. If stronger fluoride is needed daily, your dentist may give you a prescription. This will help treat early cavities that are too small to repair.
• Fillings: Fillings are the main treatment when a cavity has progressed beyond the enamel. The dentist removes the decay and "fills" the hole with either a white, tooth colored, composite material or "silver" amalgam material. The dentist molds them to match the shape of the surrounding tooth. They restore the strength and integrity of the tooth and prevent decay from re-entering the vulnerable area. Fillings restore full health and functionality to a tooth effectively and immediately.
• Crowns: When the cavity is too large to do a filling, a crown is needed.  A crown is a custom-fitted covering or “cap” that is placed over the tooth to treat extensive decay. The crown restores the tooth to its normal shape, size, and function and can make the tooth stronger or improve the way it looks.  
• Root canals: When tooth decay reaches the inner material of your tooth (pulp), a root canal may be necessary. Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gum tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms. The dentist or endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the root canal, then fills and seals the space. Afterward, a crown or other restoration is placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.
• Tooth extractions: This is the removal of a severely decayed tooth. Once the decay is too much for any other restoration, the only option then is to have the tooth removed. There are ways to replace a missing tooth.

Many dental problems, even deep cavities, develop without any pain or other symptoms. Regular dental checkups are the best way to catch a cavity before it gets worse. Early diagnosis means easier treatment. See the best general dentist in Evansville, IN- Dr Jenkins.