Cavity treatment

Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases in the world. The presence of a sticky film of bacteria on the teeth, called dental plaque, is the cause of cavities. If sugar is present, the bacteria contained in the dental plaque release an acid product that gradually decalcifies the teeth, which can lead to the loss of the tooth. This is why most people are concerned about it. However, prevention avoids much of this and dentists are equipped to treat cavities that are detected early.

Symptoms of tooth decay

Symptoms are rarely observed when tooth decay has been present for a short time.

However, if tooth decay has persisted for a long time, symptoms may include:

Toothache;
Sensitivity to heat, cold or pressure;
Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Cavity treatment

The treatment of tooth decay consists of removing the affected part of the tooth. Once the tooth is free of decay, the dentist will be able to offer different solutions to replace the missing part of the tooth.

Composite resin fillings

Composite resin is a material used to fill and restore teeth. It has the advantage of mimicking the colour of teeth almost perfectly and therefore provides a much more natural appearance than silver amalgam fillings.

A durable composite resin filling is applied and shaped in a simple, short procedure performed by your dentist. The composite resin is cured with a light, then adjusted and polished.

Amalgam fillings

Used in dentistry for more than a century, amalgam consists mainly of a mixture of silver, tin and copper. This mixture produces a silvery-gray “paste” that hardens once placed.

Although not as aesthetically pleasing as composite resin, amalgam is still very strong. However, because this material expands over time and puts pressure on the tooth walls, it causes cracks and even fractures in the teeth. This is why it is less and less recommended and used by dentists.

Ceramic inlays

Ceramic inlays are also an interesting solution for repairing tooth decay. It is more durable than composite fillings and gives a very aesthetic result. Because it is closer to the enamel of a natural tooth, it allows the repaired tooth to regain its initial strength. For this reason, ceramic inlays are often recommended in cases of deep tooth decay or when several tooth surfaces are missing.

This simple process consists of removing the decay, then taking an impression of the cut tooth to proceed with the production of the ceramic inlay. Once created, the ceramic inlay is cemented to the tooth.

The videos below explain how tooth decay forms and the options for treating it.