Treating Dental Caries
By: Ken HurtTotal Views: 170, Word Count: 537,
It is very important to have patience while treating dental caries. Dental caries is known to be an infectious disease caused by infection of micro organisms. Dental caries is known to be a pathological process in which destruction of tooth structure takes place due to the action of microorganisms. It is also known as tooth decay or tooth cavities. Generally, dental plaque results into caries which is an oral flora adhered to the teeth. It can break down tooth enamel. There are many organisms which are responsible for creating plaque in teeth. These include genus Streptococcus. In this genus, Streptococcus mutans specie is known to be most important in the formation of dental caries. These S. mutans are 0.5-0.75 micrometers in diameter which colonize on tooth surfaces. After colonizing, they synthesize insoluble polysaccharides from sucrose present in teeth. This helps in adhesion to smooth surfaces, forming dental caries, followed by fermentation of sucrose to form lactic acid. Along with this, Lactobacillus is also responsible for dental caries.
Treating Dental Caries
· We all know that when the tooth structure gets destroyed, it is very hard to regenerate it. Remineralization of teeth is the main method of treating dental caries. In this method, topical fluoride is used to encourage remineralization. In this way, the formation of larger lesions can be stopped by this treatment.
· Early treatment of dental caries is less painful and less expensive as compared to treating dental caries at a later stage. In major dental caries, Anesthetics i.e. local, nitrous oxide or other prescription medications are required to relive pain.
· A dental handpiece i.e. drill is used to remove a large quantity of decayed material from a tooth. A spoon which is a dental instrument is also used, so as to remove decay carefully.
· Once the decay is removed, the missing tooth structure is fulfilled with dental restoration to return the tooth to its original functionality.
· Restorative materials used in restoration are composite resin, dental amalgam, porcelain, and gold.
· Composite resin and porcelain are used, so as to match the color of natural teeth and as a result these are more frequently used when aesthetics are a concern.
· In some cases, endodontic therapy is used for the restoration of a tooth. Endodontic therapy is popularly known as root canal. This therapy is recommended when the pulp in a tooth dies due to infection of decay-causing bacteria or from trauma.
· During a root canal therapy, the pulp of the tooth is removed including decayed portions of the tooth. After this, the canals are instrumented with endodontic files, so as to clean and shape them. Lastly, they are filled with a rubber-like material called gutta percha.
· The removal of the decayed tooth is also known to be a used method of treating dental caries. It is performed when the tooth is completely destroyed from the decay process. In this case, extractions are preferred as the patients are unable or unwilling to undergo the expense in restoring the tooth.
Along with this, prevention is the best way of treating dental caries. Keep proper oral hygiene, so as to minimize the complications of dental caries.
About the Author
Dr. Ken Hurt is a well known dentist and has been in this field since 1995. He is graduated in doctor of dental medicine from London University. His interest lies in cosmetic dentistry, gum and teeth replacement, children dentistry, drug therapy, psychology in dentistry, oral surgery and pathology.
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