Tooth decay treatment

Tooth decay (caries) is a pathological process that affects the hard tissues of the tooth. What looks like an innocent brown spot on the surface gradually destroys the enamel over time. Only one percent of people worldwide have never encountered this disease.

If you notice the first signs of tooth decay, you should immediately consult a dentist. The cost of caries treatment depends on the degree of tooth damage and any additional services.

The onset of caries begins with the active multiplication of streptococcal bacteria in the oral cavity. These microorganisms live in dental plaque, which must be regularly removed both by routine and professional cleaning. Poor oral hygiene, improper nutrition, vitamin deficiencies, or low fluoride levels in water often lead to an unfavorable environment in the mouth. Other causes of tooth decay include improper development of baby teeth, weak immunity, or digestive system problems.

The resistance of teeth to streptococci largely depends on their shape, structure, presence of cusps, and surface smoothness. Research also confirms that genetic predisposition may play an important role in the development of this disease.

The price for caries treatment varies. It is important to first come for a consultation with a dentist to determine the extent of the tooth damage, which will influence the cost.

What is Caries?

Caries is one of the most common diseases, affecting about 93% of people, with 80% of cases diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.

The main causes of caries development are:

• Hereditary predisposition;
• Features of tooth structure, such as large interdental spaces;
• Non-compliance with oral hygiene rules;
• Deficiency of important minerals in the body such as fluoride, calcium, phosphorus;
• Vitamin deficiency, especially vitamin D;
• Weak immunity;
• Unbalanced nutrition;
• Metabolic disorders;
• Diseases of the digestive organs.

Caries develops due to the activity of bacteria in the oral cavity. However, the risk of its occurrence significantly increases in the presence of mineral and vitamin deficiencies, which negatively affect the condition of the tooth enamel, as well as due to insufficient hygiene and accompanying diseases.

Depending on the degree of tooth damage, caries is divided into several stages: a carious spot, which is the initial stage of enamel destruction; superficial caries, when demineralization of the enamel occurs; medium caries, which affects the dentin; deep caries, which involves the entire dentin layer and reaches the pulp, where nerves and blood vessels are located.

According to the localisation of the disease, there are fissure caries, which forms in anatomical depressions on the chewing surface of the tooth; approximal caries, which affects the areas between teeth; and cervical caries, which develops near the root, above the gums. Primary lesions occur on healthy teeth, while secondary lesions appear on teeth with fillings.

How is the Disease Diagnosed?

During a consultation, the dentist first examines all the teeth using a mirror and a special instrument to check the strength of the tissues in the darkened areas. The carious-affected areas usually become soft, which allows the dentist to identify the disease.

To clarify the degree of caries development, an X-ray of the tooth may be required. If more complex pathology diagnostics are necessary, computed tomography or orthopantomography, a panoramic shot of the jaw, is used.

Treatment of Tooth Caries

After diagnosis and determination of the stage of caries, the dentist chooses the most effective treatment method.

If superficial damage is detected, the dentist cleans the caries by removing the affected enamel area and then treats it with a fluoride-containing agent. This promotes complete enamel restoration and the disappearance of the carious spot.

Treatment of medium caries requires a more complex approach. First, anesthesia is administered, after which the dentist carefully removes the damaged tooth tissues using special equipment. The resulting cavity is treated with an antiseptic, dried, and a gel that improves the adhesion of the filling material is applied. Then the dentist selects a filling shade that matches the tooth color. Filling is performed step-by-step: the material is applied in layers and cured using a special lamp.

Removal of deep caries often requires removal of nerve endings. At the first stage, the dentist cleans the tooth from carious lesions and performs nerve removal. Then therapeutic drugs are placed inside the tooth, which is sealed with a temporary filling. This helps prevent the development of inflammation or other complications. A permanent filling is placed after several days or a week, depending on the condition of the tooth.

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Possible Complications of Tooth Decay

If tooth decay is not treated in time, it can lead to the complete destruction of the tooth. There is also a risk that the infectious and inflammatory process may spread to the soft tissues, accompanied by severe pain and other unpleasant symptoms.

Complications of tooth decay include:

• Pulpitis – inflammation of the soft tissues inside the tooth
• Periodontitis – inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth root
• Abscess, phlegmon – purulent inflammations
• Tooth fracture or crown breakage – destruction of the tooth structure

Pulpitis occurs when tooth decay reaches the pulp - the inner chamber of the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. In case of inflammation, it is necessary to remove the decay along with the affected tissues and seal the canals that connect the pulp to the jawbone. If left untreated, the inflammation can spread further, causing the destruction of the tooth and its eventual extraction.

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Why Choose Us?

Gallant is a modern dental centre equipped with the latest devices from leading medical equipment manufacturers. Our clinic features advanced technology that enables precise diagnostics and treatments. Thanks to the professionalism of our dentists across various specialisations, we provide medical services that meet the highest standards of quality.

The cost of cavity treatment depends on the severity of the damage and any complications. For more detailed information about pricing, please contact our managers or visit the dentist for a consultation and examination.