PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
August 3rd 2013
A cavity is a hole in a tooth that is caused by dental decay.
Cavities occurs when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) such as bread, milk, soda, fruits, cakes, or candy are left on the teeth. Bacteria that live naturally in the mouth digest these foods, turning them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva in the mouth combine to form plaque, which sticks to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the teeth, which over time creates holes in the teeth called cavities. Regular brushing and flossing removes the plaque and food debris and helps prevent cavities.
A visible hole, a black mark on a tooth or pain are all indicators that a cavity may exist, although generally a small cavity will not cause any pain and a patient might not know of its existence. Regular visits to the dentist are important in ensuring that any cavities are diagnosed and treated early, thus preventing the decay progressing to a more advanced stage. X-rays may be taken to help in diagnosis. Cavities that are left untreated will grow, expanding through the dentine inside the tooth and to the pulp chamber containing the tooth’s nerves. This results in pain, possibly an abscess and can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
Treatment
There are a number of different treatments for cavities depending on the extent of tooth decay. If decay is not extensive, the decayed portion of the tooth is removed by the dentist and replaced with a filling. Although metal, mercury-based fillings are still used in some places I personally consider them old-fashioned and inferior to the more modern alternative of ‘white’, composite fillings. The ‘white’, composite fillings do not contain mercury, are as strong as metal fillings, are bonded to the tooth and are aesthetically more attractive due to them matching the colour of the existing enamel and other teeth.
If the tooth decay is extensive and there is limited tooth structure remaining, a crown is the best solution. In this instance, the decayed or weakened area of the tooth is removed and repaired and a crown is fitted over the remainder of the tooth. Crowns can be made from a range of materials including porcelain, porcelain on metal, or zirconium- all of which are matched to your other teeth and when completed should be indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Crowns can be made purely from gold. This is a cosmetic choice and with the current price of gold can be a rather expensive option.
