At Incredible Smiles of Texas, it is our goal to help patients maintain strong teeth and gums to preserve a healthy and beautiful smile. While it would be ideal for patients to go through life needing nothing more than basic general dentistry services, we know that this is unrealistic. Oral health problems are common, and most patients eventually require restorative dentistry services to improve oral health. Dr. Chris Reger offers a comprehensive range of restorative dentistry services to treat the most common dental problems, including dental cavities. We offer several treatments for cavities so that our San Antonio patients can restore teeth that have been damaged by any level of dental decay.
Cavity Treatment Options
The basic definition of a dental cavity is a small hole in the tooth where healthy tooth enamel has been eaten away by decay. While dental cavities are common, they do vary in severity. In order to meet the unique needs of each patient, Dr. Reger offers a range of cavity treatments that can restore the health and strength of a tooth no matter how severe the decay. Below are some of the treatment options that are commonly considered in the case of a dental cavity:
- Dental filling: A dental filling is the most common treatment for a dental cavity. If decay is fairly minor (which is usually the case for patients who undergo twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings), a dental filling can adequately treat a dental cavity. A dental filling is applied directly to the tooth. First, any damaged tooth material will be removed, and any bacteria, plaque, or tartar will be removed. Then, a composite material is used to fill in and replace tooth enamel that has been lost. After being hardened, this composite material restores normal tooth strength and function.
- Inlays and onlays: Inlays and onlays are used for larger dental cavities. These are cavities that include either the area on the biting surface of the tooth that lies between the tooth’s cusps (those small bumps at the top of the tooth), or even the cusps themselves. Like a dental filling, inlays and onlays replace missing tooth enamel to restore strength and function to the tooth, but unlike a filling, these are not direct composites. Instead, inlays and onlays are fabrications that are created in a dental lab using molds that have been taken of the damaged teeth. Once these fabrications are complete, they are bonded to the tooth using dental cement.
- Dental crown: A dental crown is only used in cases of severe decay, which has compromised the strength of the tooth. After reshaping the damaged tooth and removing all infected material, a dental crown is placed over the tooth. It encircles the entire natural tooth to offer an additional layer of support and protection.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are experiencing tooth pain or suspect that you may have a dental cavity, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible to discuss treatment. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Chris Reger at your earliest convenience to learn more about our restorative dentistry services. We look forward to meeting you!
