What Is A Dental Cavity, It’s Causes & Treatment?
DENTAL CAVITY
A dental cavity is also termed as a tooth cavity or caries or a carious lesions. This is a very common oral condition which affects the hard tissues of the tooth like the tooth enamel, dentin and even the cementum where cavities or small holes are formed. This condition is a resultant of the damage caused by the bacterial acids which is regularly produced in the mouth that interacts with remnants (around & between the teeth) of sugary particles and carbohydrates or starches from the food we eat. Over a prolonged period of time, due to these chemical reactions, the surface of the tooth starts eroding and if left untreated, this erosion gradually reaches the inner portions of the tooth and its root creating a cavity and also start affecting the surrounding teeth.
WHAT CAUSES DENTAL CAVITY
Role of Bacteria : Of many bacteria present in the mouth, main culprit is “Streptococcus Mutans” which is a harmful bacterium that is present in the mouth. This bacterium causes chemical reaction when in contact with the sugary and starchy food particles that remain in the mouth (un-cleaned) after we consume the food or drinks.
Unhygienic Oral Condition : Maintaining improper oral health like not properly or not adequately brushing & flossing the teeth after a meal can lead to formation of plaque, which is a sticky form of bacteria, over the surface of the tooth. The harmful – decay causing bacteria thrive on the plaque formation and reacts with the sugary & starchy food remnants to produce decay causing acids which, over a period of time, if remain un-cleaned will start the erosion process of the tooth leading to cavity.
Dietary Habits : Regularly consuming sugary, acidic foods and beverages and also food that rich in carbohydrates aggrevates the risk of cavity formation. These substances provide a substrate for bacterial activity and the acids from some foods and beverages may weaken the tooth enamel which then becomes more prone to the decay.
Genetic Factors : Other unassuming culprit may be the genetic factors that can lead to dental cavities. This happens to people who genetically inherit weaker enamel or sometimes are prone to harbouring bacteria in their enamel.
Dry Mouth : Xerostomia or Dry Mouth is a condition caused by lack or reduction in the saliva production. The saliva plays a major role in demineralizing the tooth enamel and revitalizing it. Reduced saliva I or the lack of it may also lead to tooth cavity.
Insufficient Fluoride Exposure : We all know that Fluoride is a mineral which gives strength to the tooth and helps in fighting the acids. If there is an insufficient exposure to the Fluoride, whether from the tooth paste, water or even other sources, it will lead to dental cavity.
TREATMENT OF DENTAL CAVITY
At Dental-360 Hospital, we have a range of treatment plans for various types of tooth cavity.
Tooth Filling : In case of mild cavity, we remove the decayed part of the teeth and fill it up with bio-compatible material like porcelain or composite resin and even dental amalgam. This process is done by administering local anaesthesia.
Root Canal Treatment (RTC) : In cases where the damage has reached the pulp, a root canal treatment is done after which a dental crown is fitted which is also made of Bio- compatible material like Porcelain, Zirconia, Metal crowns, Resin Crowns or even PFM (Porcelain Fused To Metal) Crowns.
Dental Implant & Prosthetics : In cases where the entire tooth falls off due to severity of the damage, we go in for a dental implant. In this invasive procedure, we remove whatever remains of the completely decayed tooth and surgically place an implant which generally is a Titanium Post that is also a bio-compatible material. This post plays a role of a tooth root that is a permanent and a long lasting fixture. This implant osseointegrates with the jaw bone and tissues over which we place a Dental Crown or a Dental Bridge. This acts as an artificial tooth that is stronger, stable and gives longevity and better aesthetic option to the restoration.
Sental-360 Dental Hospital is a highly sophisticated dental hospital in the heart of Bangalore. our team consists of experienced dental specialists and skilled dental technicians who undertake most complex cases that are treated to the utmost satisfaction of the patient. we render treatment of international standards to all kinds of dental issues including smile correction at a reasonable cost. our post services also consists of post operative follow-ups to guarantee the optimum results.
