Biannual dental cleanings and health exams help remove plaque and tartar buildup to reduce the risk of cavities. Dr. Karim Naguib can provide you with a personalized dental recommendation based on your particular needs that will benefit your teeth and gums.
If you have felt tooth pain and think you may have a cavity, call Premier Dental Care today.
Treating Cavities
There are multiple treatment options for cavities that we offer in our Lancaster and Palmdale offices:
Root Canal
A root canal treatment is recommended when the inside of your tooth becomes infected. At the center of the tooth is soft tissue that we call the dental pulp. When infection occurs in the pulp, it can cause you pain and damage your tooth.
A root canal removes all of this infected tissue and eases the pressure and pain you’re experiencing from it. The dentist will fill the empty space with a biocompatible material. The dentist will then cap the tooth with a dental crown to rebuild its strength.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are a typical procedure for dental cavities. At our office, we use a white composite filling material for fillings that will match your natural teeth.
This material helps to stabilize the tooth and strengthen the area that was damaged by tooth decay. Old metal fillings have a certain lifespan and can cause issues like tooth sensitivity. Our office can replace these metal fillings with composite ones.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays kind of bridge the gap between fillings and dental crowns. They’re designed to cover larger parts of the tooth than fillings, but not the entire tooth-like crowns.
Inlays are used to repair decay or damage that’s on the biting surface of the tooth, while onlays extend to take care of the cusps of the tooth as well. These can be made of the same materials as dental fillings.
Tooth Extractions
We always do our best to make sure the natural tooth structure stays intact. But in cases of severe damage or decay, a tooth extraction may be the best option for your oral health. Your dentist will do a complete examination to make sure that extraction is the right choice.
The area is numbed and the tooth is slowly rocked back and forth to break the attachment. We offer many options for missing teeth as well.
Tooth Cavity FAQs
Can small cavities go away on their own?
Occasionally, very small cavities can be reversed with outstanding oral hygiene. However, these have to be caught at the onset. This is what makes regular dental visits important. The dentist will have to catch the cavity before the patient can notice it.
What happens if I don’t get a cavity filled?
As with many things, the more you let a cavity go, the worse the outcome will be. Tooth decay can spread throughout your tooth and to surrounding teeth. If it gets to the dental pulp, you will need a root canal to remove the infection. If left alone long enough, you may need to replace the entire tooth.
Do adults normally get cavities?
While on a diet that’s lighter than sugar and fluoridated water, adults normally don’t get as many cavities as children. However, they can definitely still happen. Making sure you keep up with your oral health can prevent this.
How long can you wait for a cavity to be filled?
Tooth enamel can be easier for bacteria or acid to attack in some people than in others. It can take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity requires treatment. Each individual’s oral health changes at a different rate, so schedule an appointment sooner rather than later if you think you may have a cavity.
How do you know if a cavity has reached the nerve?
The main signs that your cavity has reached the nerve are toothaches, sensitivity to temperature, tooth discoloration, and gum swelling and tenderness. If you are experiencing any of these, call our office today. We can help diagnose and treat your cavity in a single appointment!
Do cavities spread to surrounding teeth?
Cavities do not spread to other teeth; however, your mouth will still have tooth decay. It is very likely that the same conditions that caused your cavity in one tooth will cause cavities in others. This does not mean that cavities spread, but rather the condition of your mouth is harvesting plaque and bacteria that cause them to occur in other areas.
Request a Dental Exam Online Today
Call our Lancaster, CA dentist office at (661) 948-6700 or schedule a dental visit to our Lancaster dentist office online.
Call our Palmdale, CA dentist office at (661) 273-6565 or schedule a visit to our Palmdale dentist office online.