When your teeth suffer from damage or decay, the sooner you act, the better. Tooth decay in Williamsburg, VA, can quickly spread and cause worsening dental conditions. When caught early on, many patients can treat decay with noninvasive procedures. But if you allow decay to remain untreated, you may need extensive treatment in the future. After examining the affected tooth/teeth, your dentist can recommend the best treatment option for your oral health.
Treating Tooth Decay in Williamsburg, VA
Tooth decay often starts out small, but it can quickly spread. When you have a cavity, your teeth and gums are naturally weakened. This allows plaque and tartar to build up and cause more damage. Treating decay as soon as possible could help protect the rest of your teeth and lower the risk of developing gum disease. What kind of treatment you need often depends on the scale and depth of your decay.
Dental Filling
For many early cases of decay, a simple dental filling is often enough to treat the problem. Your dentist will use a small drill to remove the decayed portion of your tooth and then clean the area. Decay removes the enamel and dentin layers of your teeth. A dental filling uses tooth-colored resin to restore your tooth. Fillings are often recommended for small cavities that are located in one area and have only affected the enamel layer of your tooth.
Dental Crowns
When decay progresses, a dental filling may not be enough to help protect your tooth. While the resin material is strong, it’s most effective in small areas. If you try to restore the majority of a decayed tooth with a filling, you may not have enough protection. In these cases, a dental crown could be your best treatment option.
Dental crowns are a bit more involved and often require two visits to the dentist. During the first visit, your dentist will prepare and clean the tooth. They’ll then take an impression of your bite to help fabricate the crown. Because the crown can take a few weeks to make, your dentist will likely provide you with a temporary crown made of resin material. When you return, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and set your permanent crown.
Extraction and Implants
In some cases of extreme decay, there may not be a safe or effective way to preserve your tooth. If nothing is done, however, the damage could continue to spread to other teeth and your gums. When you have widespread or deep decay, the best course of action may be to extract the affected tooth. Your dentist will often try to coordinate an extraction with implant placement to provide quick and effective restoration treatment.
If you have tooth decay, it’s important to treat it as early as possible. Call us today at 757-216-9873 to schedule a consultation and see which treatment options are available for your bite.