Treatment for Tooth Decay & Tooth Crack in Boynton Beach Florida

Our natural teeth are designed to help us with chewing and biting food and with speech. The biting surface of molar teeth has cusps, grooves and pits. The pits and grooves can easily accommodate food particles and encourage bacterial activity. The process of tooth decay kicks start when the bacteria in the oral cavity start to feed on food to release acids that erode the enamel layer of tooth. There are various stages of tooth decay. Dental professionals at Comfort Care Dental remove the decayed part and use suitable restorative material to strengthen the tooth. If you are a resident of Boynton Beach or surrounding communities who is suffering from tooth decay, visit our office immediately. Our treatment can cure your infection and restore your smile.

Tooth decay stages

Our natural tooth comprises of enamel, dentin and pulp. The outermost layer, enamel is one of the hardest substances in our body. Food particles can remain in the grooves and pits of tooth surface even after brushing since these areas are hard to reach. The bacteria in the oral cavity feed on remains of food to release an acid that damages the tooth.

In the first stage the decay is a small spot in the pit of biting surface. As the bacterial activity increases a cavity is formed which tends to grow deeper towards the pulp. Once the infection reaches the pulp, the patient starts to sense pain. Treatment for tooth decay depends on the extent of tooth damage. Dentists use different examination methods to identify tooth decay.

Tooth decay – Examination and treatment options

Our dentist follows different methods of examination to identify tooth decay. Firstly the teeth are checked through naked eye to find signs of dark spots on tooth surface. An explorer is a dental instrument which can reach the tiny pits in the biting surface of tooth. If a tooth is decayed it may seem sticky. Apart from naked eye examination, X-rays can also help identify tooth decay. Pain and other symptoms may be indicators of infection.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are restorative material made of plastic. They are commonly used in children to prevent tooth decay. They can be used by the dentist in adults too. The sealants are the first preventive restorative option for tooth decay problem.

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are restorative dental materials recommended when the decay has formed a cavity in the tooth. These are the first lines of defense against the expanding bacterial invasion in teeth. Fillings can be made of composite resin, porcelain or other materials.
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Dental Inlays and Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays are larger than dental fillings. While fillings can be flexibly poured/bonded in the cavity, inlays and onlays are precisely made to shape. Dental inlays restore a small groove in the biting surface while onlays are designed to restore one or more cusps of the biting surface. The restoration can take load and finely bond with the tooth surface. Gold, porcelain and composite resin inlays and onlays are available. The decayed portion or the damaged portion of the tooth is removed and the tooth is prepared before placing an inlay or onlay. The restoration can be bonded or cemented in planned position.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are recommended when the decay has created a large cavity and the tooth has become physically weak. A crown may be required in such cases to shield the tooth from further decay and to support its functions.
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On completion of the restoration procedure, our dentist explains patients how to protect the restoration and how to prevent tooth decay in future. With proper care, the restoration generally can last for many years.