Dr. Luong, at Care Dental Spa in Temple, Texas is frequently asked, “What is a cavity and how did I get it?” Cavities are tooth decay or caries. Cavities are damaged areas on the hard surface of your teeth. It is permanent damage and will not get any better without treatment. This damage develops into small holes in your teeth. Cavities from plaque. Plaque is a combination of bacteria, acid food and saliva. If you do not properly brush and floss your teeth, the acid in plaque break down your tooth enamel, which causes cavities.
An untreated cavity can cause a variety of symptoms. Pain and/or tooth sensitivity is the most common symptom. If this ignored and left untreated, a tooth abscess can from and can even became life threatening. The bacteria can enter your bloodstream and cause more complication throughout your body.
Treatment can range from a simple filling to endodontic treatment on extractions. When decay is found early, a filling is done. Most filling can be done quickly and with case. Most patients want to be numbed with lidocaine so there is no discomfirt. Dr Luong will remove the decyded tooth tissue by using handpiece. That opening is then filled with a composite or resin material. This material is tooth colored and blends will with the remaining tooth structure. We, at care Dental Spa, Never use the old silver looking metal material that has been used years ago. Dr luong feels that the never composite filling material is much better for our patients. He does not have to remove as much tooth structure using this material and the appearance is much more pleasing for our patients. The quality of this material is much better than the old amalgam filling material.
If the tooth decay is large and incorporates the majority of the tooth structure, a crown and build up could be the best option for treatment. Dr Luong would numb the area surrounding the decayed tooth and remove all of the damaged tooth structure. The remaining tooth structure is than (built up) to the support full coverage crown or cap. Impression might be taken to send to his laboratory, where your crown will be fabricated. Often a machine, such as the Letro, will be used to digitally send all that information to the lab. A temporary crown is made and placed on top of your remaining tooth structure with temporary crown is made and placed on top of your remaining tooth structure cement until your Permanente crown can be placed.
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