Your teeth might be hard on the outside, but they are soft on the inside leaving room for a nerve ending. If your teeth get infected, this soft interior is in danger. Decay can also spread to the gum level requiring fillings on root surfaces.
Fillings are also required to treat tooth sensitivity, and/or protect root surfaces that develop ?V? shaped notches. These notches develop from aggressive brushing or from constant pressure on the tooth from clenching or grinding.
Exposed root surfaces can be very sensitive, and further damage to your teeth can also progress quickly since the protective enamel coating is eroding. These types of lesions are extremely vulnerable to bacteria and acidic foods so it?s necessary to protect them by placing a filling over top and removing decay if necessary.
Don?t ignore your tooth ache, it is one of the early signs of tooth decay.
Root fillings are a must to help restore your decaying teeth. It is a far more simpler and cost- effective treatment.
The procedure starts with a general consultation to see whether you are the right candidate for this process and discuss expectations and goals. Your treatment at our Maple dental clinic begins with your cavity being cleansed thoroughly and the removal of surrounding decay. Next, a filling is used to seal the area. In the case of notches, only minimal preparation of the surrounding area is needed. Local anesthetic is generally required for this procedure, especially when root sensitivity is being treated.
These cavities on the root surfaces will sometimes progress below the gum line and require some minor modification to the gums to allow access for proper restoration.
Filling material is then coloured to match the surrounding tooth to maintain its natural shade. Initial post-operative sensitivity is normal and generally lasts for only 2-3 days. An alternative to fillings in some cases may be a gum graft.
Just like other cavities, root cavities start slowly and without symptoms, then as more bacteria accumulates or acid exposure occurs, your teeth erode at a much faster rate. Untreated lesions will spread to the nerve of the tooth, eventually causing chronic pain and requiring root canal treatment or even removal of the tooth.
Do not wait till severe symptoms show up to go see your local dentist. The delay will endanger not only your smile, but your complete oral health.
Cavities won't go away, but there are several preventative steps to take to heal your teeth and avoid further damage.
Like almost all dental treatments, the best way to prevent root cavities is to brush twice daily and floss or use soft-picks once per day. If you are having a sugary drink or snack, rinse your mouth to flush away some of the sugar. You should also keep up with your routine checkups to make sure problems are caught early and addressed promptly.
Be careful not to scrub your teeth at the gum line or to apply excessive pressure with an electric tooth brush. Notches will begin to appear on several teeth in a given area.
If a clenching or grinding appliance has been suggested, you may want to consider having one made or using your existing appliance diligently. Clenching and grinding apply excessive force causing the tooth to flex which, over time, allows small bits of tooth to chip away.
Invest in your oral health care sooner and reverse the first signs of tooth decay. Book An Appointment
