How many types of dental cavities exist?
When we lack a proper oral hygiene, we can’t remove all the bacterial plaque and we create a propitious environment for dental cavities to form. In order to avoid this, in addition to properly performed oral hygiene at home, the general recommendation of dentists is to follow a prevention plan that includes a professional dental prophylaxis twice a year and a periodic check-up every 6 months (or earlier, depending on the recommendation of the coordinating doctor) in the dental office. These prophylactic measures allow the bacterial plaque and tartar to be completely removed.
Tooth decay on the root (especially due to gingival retractions)
Tooth decay on the lateral surfaces of the tooth
Tooth decay on the contact surface (pits)
Occlusion decay (appears on the contact surface of teeth and molars)
Inter dental cavities
Secondary dental cavities (appear below the previous dental fillings)
Left untreated, dental cavities evolve, destroy the tooth enamel, affect the dental pulp and nerves, causing nerve breakdown, or in the most complex cases leading to tooth loss.
Treatment options for tooth decay
Physiognomic obturations
The most common method of rehabilitation of a tooth affected by decay is the physiognomic dental obturation. This procedure involves the dentist to clean the area where the decay was installed by removing the affected tissues and filling the space with a composite compatible with the body that will have a colour close to the natural tooth and that will restore the functionality of the tooth. In the case of oral rehabilitation of the front teeth or those visible on the smile line the aesthetic aspect is very important.
Physiognomic obturation under a microscope
This type of dental treatment for tooth decay is performed by the endodontist with the dental microscope and allows the doctor to see with great precision the surface affected by the decay, to appreciate the extent of the decay and its depth.
Root canal obturation under a microscope
If the dental cavity has damaged the tooth's structure and led to inflammation of the dental pulp and nerves, the specialized dentist in endodontics needs to clean up the extended infection under the enamel, ensuring the vitality and health of the tooth. There are also situations in which the tooth structure has been severely damaged so that, following an endodontic treatment, the dentist will call for a prosthetic tooth rehabilitation with a dental crown with pivot tooth or for a dental inlay.
Doctors that performs tooth decay therapy:
In the DENT ESTET clinics the team is internationally specialized and is performing tooth decay therapy, using the latest digital technologies to provide non-invasive and conservative treatments, keeping as much possible of the original structure of the natural tooth.