Dental Filling in time; prevents Implant in future, Royal Dental
Dental caries may be caused due to food debris that are left on tooth surfaces. In small and medium cavities, the pits can be filled and closed with dental filling. But in deep caries where the infection reaches the pulp, the same may require advanced treatments such as root canal or implants.
Dental caries also known as tooth decay is one of the most common dental problem and can be easily prevented by maintaining a good oral hygiene. Sugary and sticky foods such as candies, ice cream, chocolates, caramels stick to the tooth surface and without proper cleaning, the remnants of the food debris are then dissolved by the oral flora into acids which damage the hard tissue of the teeth resulting in the formation of caries.
Dental decay in earlier stages doesn’t cause any trouble except the un-aesthetic appearance. In later stages there may be associated food lodgement, sensitivity and pain, resulting in inability to chew. Hence, it is important to treat tooth decay in time. A dental filling is one of the treatment modalities to treat dental caries and prevent its further progress. Dental fillings last long and restores the function and aesthetic of the tooth structure lost.
What to do for these dental cavities?
1) Cavities which are shallow can be filled with pit and fissure sealants. Pit and fissure cavities can be detected during oral prophylaxis and should be immediately treated with pit and fissure sealants thus preventing further decay and root canal treatment.
2) Moderate cavities not reaching the pulp can be treated with fillings. Patients with moderate tooth decay present with pain and sensitivity to heat and cold. Cavities very close to the pulp can be treated with various pulp capping agents.
3) Deep cavities present with throbbing pain as the tooth becomes infected wherein the infection reaches the pulp. A filling will not help in treating the infection which has reached the pulp. Even antibiotics will not resolve the infection completely. Hence a well performed root canal treatment is a pre requisite for successful outcome and to restore the function of a tooth.
Root Canal Treatment | When dental filling is not possible
A root canal infection that is left untreated can spread beyond the tooth as well. The infection can spread to the adjacent teeth, jaws and even the blood stream. Bacteria from the pulp can travel all the way from the root, enter into the periapical region and continue its spread to the sinus and facial spaces causing space infections. Infections passing beyond the root apex leads to bone loss resulting in weakening of supporting structures of teeth leading to tooth mobility and eventually loss of tooth. If these lost teeth are not replaced the surrounding teeth shift causing pathological migration and Supra eruption of teeth.
Dental Implants in One Day
Dental implant is a great way to replace a missing tooth. Implants are biocompatible made up of titanium metal rod and are placed in the jaw bone replacing the missing tooth. The metal rod acts as a root of the tooth and it’s counter portion is designed for placement of crowns, bridges or dentures.
One should keep in mind the consequences of delaying or not undergoing fillings of decayed teeth on time. Visit to a dentist every 3-6 months helps to keep a check on your oral hygiene and prevent caries avoiding the need for tooth replacement by implants.
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