If you are like many people, you probably dread going to the dentist, especially when you suspect you have a cavity. But knowing a little more about how your cavity might be repaired can help you to feel more comfortable going to the dentist and give you some insight into your appointment. Here are a few ways that your dentist can repair a cavity and help you to go back to enjoying your oral health.
Dental Fillings
One of the most common ways that a dentist will fix a cavity is by simply filling it. To do this, your dentist will take time to carefully clean the cavity. This is done to ensure that no bacteria or infection is left in your tooth. Then they fill the cavity with material so that it can’t continue to grow. This also helps to protect your nerves since they won’t be exposed. It is important to let your dentist know if you have any problems with your filling so they can help you to improve the way your teeth feel.
Dental Crowns
For more serious or larger cavities, your dentist may additionally use a crown to help protect your tooth. In this case they would still go through the intensive cleaning process to prep your tooth for the crown. You may also need to have a temporary crown put in while you wait for the permanent crown to be made. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials including porcelain and even metal. Gold is one of the many metals used to make dental crowns.
Extraction
In some cases, the damage to a tooth can be bad enough that it needs to be extracted in order to solve the problem. In this case the tooth would be pulled in order to remove all infection, decrease pain, and prevent the issue from spreading further. This tends to happen in more extreme cases when a cavity has not been taken care of for a long time. Depending on the location of the extracted tooth you may or may not have a dental implant placed to replace it.
Taking care of your teeth is important, so remember to go to the dentist regularly. They can help you to keep your teeth healthy and care for your smile. Taking care of a cavity is a pretty simple procedure that will help you to maintain your oral health.
Check out this article on how to avoid serious dental issues later in life!
