What should I do about permanent tooth decay?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 25, 2024
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Permanent tooth decay refers to the decay that occurs in children's newly emerged permanent teeth or already replaced permanent teeth. Once decay occurs in a permanent tooth, it is necessary to fill the tooth as soon as possible. Decay is removed by drilling out the decayed hard tissue of the tooth. After removal, direct pulp capping treatment for the tooth is performed. If the decay in the permanent tooth is deep and has reached the tooth nerve, pulp treatment is needed. Vital pulpotomy can be used to retain the root pulp of the root part to promote further development of the tooth root. If the apex of the root has already formed in the permanent tooth and decay occurs, and the tooth nerve cannot be preserved, we can directly proceed with root canal treatment.

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The difference between dental caries and tooth decay.

Cavities, also known as dental caries, are essentially the same thing. Cavities are a disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth, resulting in black holes on the tooth surface. If the cavity is deep, reaching or approaching the dental nerve, external stimuli from hot, cold, sweet, or sour sources can cause tooth pain. The term "tooth decay," commonly referred to as "worm teeth" by the public, fundamentally describes the same condition as cavities, not caused by any sort of worm but by bacterial pathogens. Thus, there is no difference between cavities and tooth decay; both are infectious diseases of the hard tissues of the teeth.

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Can cavities be seen with the naked eye?

Some cavities are visible to the naked eye, while others are not. Clinically, some cavities can be observed with the naked eye. Such cavities usually have damage that extends beyond the enamel, with obvious cavities and incomplete tooth structures visible. For example, cavities on the biting surfaces of molar teeth and on the adjacent surfaces of front teeth that are moderate to severe can be seen with the naked eye. However, not all cavities can be observed with the naked eye. When the decay is confined within the enamel without obvious cavity formation, it cannot be seen with the naked eye, but it can be diagnosed by taking dental X-rays. Clinically, there are also some cavities on adjacent surfaces where the decay starts from hidden parts of the tooth; some of these might show ink-soaked-like dark brown discoloration on the biting surfaces, but they too require dental X-rays for diagnosis.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How to treat a cavity that has decayed to the root of the tooth?

For a tooth decayed to the root, it is first necessary to take an X-ray of the tooth. If the X-ray shows that the root still has some salvage value, the tooth can be preserved through root canal treatment after controlling the inflammation. If the decay has reached the tip of the root and the root has no salvage value, the tooth needs to be extracted soon after controlling the inflammation. After the tooth is extracted, it is necessary to get a dental prosthesis as soon as possible depending on the condition of the tooth. If the prosthesis is not done in time, the tooth above may elongate, and the teeth on either side may tilt towards the gap, potentially leading to the loss of space over time.

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Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
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What will happen if a cavity is filled without being cleaned properly?

If tooth decay is not completely cleaned out before filling, bacteria can continue to develop and multiply within the tooth, leading to more severe decay and potentially causing diseases such as pulpitis or periapical periodontitis. It is recommended that patients with cavities should undergo treatment based on the severity of the decay. Mild cavities usually only cause minor changes in tooth color; this can be gently abraded and then treated with fluoride materials. If the cavity is more severe, the decayed material inside the cavity should be completely removed, and then light-cured resin material can be used for filling. Deeper cavities may also require a protective pulp base.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
49sec home-news-image

Is a cavity the same as tooth decay?

Cavities, also known as dental caries, are a chronic progressive destructive disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth. Once a tooth is affected by a cavity, it is necessary to fill the tooth as soon as possible. Otherwise, the bacteria will further infect the tooth, causing inflammation of the dental nerve. Inflammation results in significant pain, including sensitivity to hot and cold, pain intensified by temperature changes, and even symptoms of nighttime pain. The most typical symptom of pulpitis is nighttime pain, which can wake someone from sleep. Therefore, once cavities occur, it is crucial to remove the decayed part of the tooth and fill it promptly to prevent potential tooth loss.