Enamel can repair itself using minerals from saliva and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. However, if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel weakens and is destroyed, forming a cavity. A tooth decay is permanent damage that the dentist must repair with a filling.
Once a tooth has a physical cavity (opening or hole) inside it, there's no feasible way to help the enamel grow back on its own. Instead, the cavity will gradually worsen, due to bacterial infection within the tooth structure. To date, there is no evidence that tooth decay can be reversed or that oil extraction can reverse tooth decay. Prevention is the key to preventing harm.
Regular checkups can identify cavities and other dental conditions before they cause worrisome symptoms and cause more serious problems. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing the earlier stages of tooth decay and preventing its progression. If a tooth decay is treated before it starts to cause pain, you probably don't need extensive treatment. The dentist may offer a few different solutions to address the damage that results from tooth decay.
Usually, tooth decay starts with bacteria feeding on sugar and starches in foods and drinks. The acids produced by these bacteria weaken the outer layer of your teeth called enamel.
When this happens, a white spot or hole forms in the enamel. Eventually, the damage moves down into the softer tooth material called dentin.
Fillings
Fillings help to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay. They also prevent future decay from developing and stop bacteria from further deteriorating your tooth.
A dentist removes the decayed area of a tooth and “fills” the hole with a material that is durable, easy to clean, and aesthetically pleasing. This process is painless and can usually be done in a single visit to the dental office.
A filling can last for many years if it is properly cared for and maintained. This means brushing twice a day and flossing daily to keep the area around the filling free from plaque, food debris, and bacteria.
Crowns
Dental crowns can be used to cover a tooth that has been damaged by decay. They can also be used to protect teeth that are too weak for a filling or to correct a dental implant.
They are made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, zirconia, resin, ceramic, and metals like gold or chromium. These options give you a great-looking smile while providing the strength and durability you need.
Although crowns are usually made of biocompatible materials, they can still develop cavities if not cared for properly. Bacteria may build up in the tiny spaces between the crown and the underlying tooth, and then migrate under the crown to cause decay.
Inlays
Inlays and onlays are restorative treatments used to repair decayed teeth that don’t require a crown. These restorations are fabricated in a lab and made of gold or ceramic.
In order to create the inlay, an impression of your tooth is taken. This mold is then sent to the dental laboratory where technicians will make your inlay.
Inlays are more conservative than fillings because they don’t remove as much of the natural tooth material. This allows them to restore more of the tooth and protect it from further damage.
Onlays
Unlike fillings, onlays cover the cusps of a tooth, restoring its shape and function. They’re used when a cavity is too large to be filled with a standard silver amalgam filling, or when a tooth has cracked due to weakness.
Onlays are also an effective treatment for chipped teeth. They can be made from materials like porcelain and composite resin, which are stain-resistant and durable.
Onlays are usually placed in two visits, and the procedure is similar to a dental filling. After numbing the affected area, Dr. Maples will clean out the decay and prep the tooth for a custom inlay or onlay. An impression of the tooth is then sent to a trusted lab.
Root Canals
A root canal can save a tooth from decay and infection when a cavity has reached the nerve and pulp. This stage of the disease is often irreversible, so it is best to visit a dentist as soon as possible to see if a root canal is the solution.
A successful root canal procedure removes the damaged tissue and cleans and seals the pulp chamber. This will relieve the pain and protect the tooth from future infections.
The treatment process involves drilling a small hole on the biting surface of the tooth to access the infected tissue and cleaning the inside of the root canals. Then, the area is filled with a rubber-like material to prevent bacteria from entering and spreading the infection.
After the root canal is completed, your dentist will put a temporary filling over the tooth to protect it from further damage and decay. Eventually, a dental crown will be placed over the tooth to keep it healthy for years to come.
In fact, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal, tooth decay and tooth decay could be reversed with diet. So, the only solution for oral wellness is to pierce a part of the tooth and fill it with a synthetic material. Fortunately, with the help of a dentist, minor or moderate damage caused by tooth decay can be treated and repaired. Today, there is a common belief about cavities that once you have a tooth decay, that cavity cannot be reversed.
Remember that if you are going to combat tooth decay, you must increase your intake of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals. Depending on the size of the cavity, you may even be able to make it work and reverse tooth decay through updated diet, oral hygiene and daily habits. Either way, once plaque and tartar stay long enough, bacteria begin to corrode actual tooth enamel. If teeth are severely damaged as a result of tooth decay, the dentist can take certain steps to restore what was destroyed.
The important thing is that tooth decay is addressed as soon as it's noticed, so visiting the dentist regularly is a good idea. The formation of small dental cavities can be reversed through a process called remineralization, when mineral deposition is applied to damaged areas of a tooth. It's much better to prevent tooth decay first by following a good oral hygiene routine that includes implementing the correct brushing and flossing technique combined with dietary control. Tell your dentist if you experience any sensitivity in specific teeth, feel a rough tooth surface, or notice discoloration on the enamel surface.
Subsequently, the powerful antinutritional effects of phytic acid are known to cause digestive disorders, lack of appetite, nutrient deficiencies, and tooth decay. The types of cells that make up teeth don't grow back or repair themselves once the tooth is fully developed.
