Tooth decay, or dental cavities, comes from constant exposure to foods and drinks containing sugar and starches. Without regular brushing and flossing, these substances lead to a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth, contributing to tooth decay.
As your teeth are exposed to the acids from these foods and plaque bacteria, your tooth enamel – the tooth’s protective coating – loses its minerals. Plaque is a sticky film that coats the teeth consisting of bacteria, saliva, and leftover food particles. If you fail to clean your teeth regularly, this plaque buildup eventually calcifies and becomes tartar.
Can decayed teeth be fixed? Tooth decay is treatable or even reversible if caught in the early stages. There are several ways to fix decayed teeth, from fluoride treatments to dental crowns.
Direct and Indirect Tooth Restorations
When treating tooth decay, your dentist may use one of two methods to restore the tooth. If you ask your dentist, ‘can decayed teeth be fixed?’ they may suggest either direct or indirect restorations as solutions. The restoration method your dentist uses depends on a few factors, including the severity of the decay.
Direct Restoration
With direct dental restorations, your dentist places restoration materials directly in your tooth. These are solutions like dental bonding and composite resin, amalgam, or glass ionomer fillings, which are often used for repairing minor dental caries.
Indirect Restoration
Indirect restorations are those fabricated outside the mouth. When your dentist uses indirect restoration methods such as dental crowns, and inlays and onlays, they are made in a dental lab or milled on-site before they are placed in your mouth.
Dentists use the most conservative approach to treatment to preserve as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. However, if you are suffering from deep decay, you may need an indirect restoration to restore the strength and structural integrity of the tooth after the decayed tissue has been removed.
How Can Decayed Teeth Be Fixed?
There are many options for repairing decayed teeth. The best option for you depends on the severity of the decay.
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Tooth Fillings
You may need dental fillings should your tooth structure be compromised due to tooth decay. Your dentist will use X-rays to determine which type of filling is the best way to restore the integrity of your decayed tooth.
Amalgam fillings are made from a combination of metals and are typically used for restoring premolars and molars as they can withstand the intense bite force that these teeth sustain. Composite resin fillings are ideal for teeth towards the front of the mouth because the tooth-coloured resin is less noticeable.
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Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a prosthetic device that your dentist cements onto your existing tooth. Dental crowns fit over a natural tooth to protect against further decay and trauma. Typically, your dentist uses fillings to repair severe decay or build up the tooth following a root canal before placing the crown to improve the structure and aesthetic of the damaged tooth.
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Dental Implants
In circumstances where your dentist cannot save the tooth, a dental extraction may be necessary. In this case, consider getting dental implants to replace the missing tooth. A dental implant acts as an artificial tooth root. A titanium rod is implanted into your jawbone. After it fuses to the bone in a process called osseointegration, it provides stimulation and support to the jaw. The implant rod can support one or more dental crowns.
What is the Process of Receiving Dental Crowns?
Your dentist may suggest that you get a dental crown if you have severe tooth decay. If you require a crown on top of the decayed tooth, your dentist takes impressions, and the dental crowns are fabricated to perfectly match your existing teeth.
One reason why you might want to opt for a dental crown is that it can give you increased stability in the damaged tooth when you bite and chew, especially if you’ve undergone a root canal. In the case of dental implants, a crown sits on top of the implant and abutment and serves as a permanent replacement for a decayed tooth, giving you a natural-looking smile.
At No Gaps Dental, we offer CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Crowns) crowns. They are customised dental crowns that are made on-site so you can enjoy the convenience of same-day placement. Opting for CEREC dental crowns means you only have to make one visit to our practice to get the crown placed. We take a non-invasive digital scan of your mouth. In about an hour, your custom dental crown will be ready.
Caring for Dental Crowns
Your dental crown won’t decay. However, the edge of the tooth under the crown can deteriorate with time, causing the crown to loosen if you do not maintain good oral hygiene practices. Caring for your dental crowns consists of brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste two times a day and flossing every night.
A dental crown, including CEREC crowns, can last many years, even decades, if cared for properly. But that doesn’t mean that they are indestructible. CEREC crowns may chip or crack just like regular teeth if too much force is applied.
No Gaps Dental Can Help Your Smile
You have many options for repairing decayed teeth. When asking ‘can decayed teeth be fixed’, the answer is yes, in most cases. Dental crowns can serve as a great solution when tooth decay is too advanced to be fixed with tooth fillings or dental bonding.
If you are wondering ‘can decayed teeth be fixed?’, visit one of our No Gaps Dental Clinics today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can examine your teeth and answer any questions and concerns you may have about tooth decay and other dental issues. Allow us to restore your healthy smile and improve your oral health.
Call us today on (02) 8806 0227 to book an appointment.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.