Conveniently located to serve Gilbert & Chandler, AZ
What Are Dental Cavities?
Dental cavities are a common oral health issue affecting millions of Americans. They are caused by tooth decay which gradually erodes the health of your tooth’s outer layer (enamel) and the inner layer (dentin). While cavities are commonly associated with children, they regularly develop in adults as well. It is important to visit our Mesa dental office twice a year for your regular checkups and teeth cleanings to both prevent and catch early any tooth decay that can lead to cavities.
Causes Of A Cavity
When you eat foods containing sugars, these sugars combine with bacteria in your mouth to form a filmy substance called plaque that adheres to your teeth. Over time, plaque will produce acid which dissolves the enamel of your teeth and causes your teeth to decay, by creating the holes which are commonly known as cavities.
Cavity Symptoms
When decay is in the early stages of invading a tooth the patient likely won’t have any symptoms. This is when we can easily get rid of the decay and place a very small filling. We can spot early decay like this visually and on your x-rays.
But if we don’t see you for a while, the area of decay will get larger. As this happens there will be your possible symptoms:
- Toothaches
- Spontaneous pain that doesn’t have any apparent cause
- Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot, or cold
- Visible holes or pits in your tooth
- Brown, black, or white staining on the surface of a tooth
- Pain when biting down
What Happens If A Cavity Is Left Untreated?
Dental cavities can attack your teeth through the grooves on the biting surfaces or in between your teeth. Eventually, the cavity will spread from these areas into the underlying dentin. If left untreated, a dental cavity can infect the tooth’s nerve and create an abscess in the pulp at the center of the tooth.
Cavity Treatment Options
There are several treatments available to repair the damage caused by a dental cavity. Mesa dentist Dr. Glenn LeSueur will recommend the appropriate option based on the extent of decay present in your tooth. These options include:
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are an ideal solution to repair minor cavities. Drs of Smiles will remove the decayed portion of your tooth and replace it with a white composite filling. Due to the potential health risks associated with amalgam fillings, our dentists prefer to use dental fillings made of porcelain or composite resin. These fillings are highly durable and deliver beautiful, natural-looking results.
Porcelain Inlays And Onlays
Porcelain inlays and onlays are an ideal option if the decayed portion of your tooth is too large for a dental filling, but not quite large enough to require a dental crown. Inlays are for repairing damage within the cusps of your teeth. Onlays are for when the damage extends beyond one cusp.
Dental Crowns
When the decay from a cavity is extensive, a dental crown can be an option to repair the damage and protect your tooth. Drs of Smiles will remove the decayed portion of your tooth and then cover it with a dental crown.
Root Canal
If you do not treat your cavity for a long period of time, the nerve or pulp of the tooth dies. If this happens then the next treatment option will be a root canal to save the tooth. Our Mesa dentists will clean the center of the tooth and the root and remove any decay and the dead pulp tissue that is present. Your tooth’s root will then be filled with a sealing material and a dental crown will be placed on top for protection.
Preventing Future Cavities
Preventing tooth decay and cavities is not difficult. Basically, it comes down to removing plaque, the sticky film that is a byproduct of your saliva breaking down the foods and drinks you consume. Plaque forms on your teeth all day every day. When you brush diligently twice daily for two minutes and floss daily, you remove the plaque. This keeps it from developing into tooth decay.
Here are some tips for preventing that next cavity:
- Practice good home hygiene — Brush and floss every day. Be attentive.
- Keep your twice-yearly visits — Your twice-yearly professional cleanings and exams aren’t scheduled on some arbitrary timeframe. Six months is about the time it takes tartar, that off-white stuff that builds on certain areas on the inside of your lower teeth, to advance under your gumline. This timeframe also allows the team at Drs of Smiles to spot decay when it is very easy to remove and place a filling.
- Consider dental sealants — We recommend placing protective plastic resin sealants in the chewing surfaces of the molars of all of our children and teenage patients. These sealants fill in the deep fissures that naturally occur in many molars.
- Drink some tap water — Avoiding tap water means you’re also avoiding fluoride in the Mesa water system. Bottled water doesn’t have fluoride.
Why Choose Drs. of Smiles?
Drs. of Smiles is led by Dr. Glenn LeSueur, who trained at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He and his team provide unmatched dental care. They work hard to build relationships centered around trust and confidence.
Our comfortable atmosphere includes thoughtful amenities like pillows, heating pads, and NuCalm relaxation. Enjoy cable TV, movies, and a child-friendly playroom in our reception area. Check out our before-and-after photos to see our exceptional results.
Schedule A Consultation
If you have a cavity or tooth decay, please contact Dr. Glenn LeSueur online or by calling our Mesa office at 480.834.6991 to schedule a treatment consultation today.
Dr. Glenn LeSueur, a Mesa dentist, serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, and other East Valley Cities in Arizona, combine LVI training and state-of-the-art technology to bring you, and your entire family, the very best and healthiest cosmetic and neuromuscular dental care.
Visit our before and after gallery to see the results we are able to achieve for our patients. Please contact or call 480.834.6991 to schedule a consultation at Drs of Smiles.