Cavities｜RYO DENTAL CLINIC

What Are Cavities?

Cavities are tiny holes that develop in your teeth when tooth decay breaks down your enamel. Cavities are incredibly common, but if left untreated, can lead to more serious complications like an infected tooth and the need for a root canal. In severe cases, cavities can eventually lead to tooth loss.

What Causes A Cavity?

Cavities occur because of bacteria in your mouth, which feed on the food particles on your teeth. As a by-product of this process, the bacteria produce an acid that eats at the enamel on your teeth, making the underlying dentin, pulp and tooth nerve vulnerable to decay. Though your teeth have a natural ability to repair tooth enamel over time, the rate of destruction by acid can outpace the rate of repair.

How Do I know If I have a cavity?

Cavities have different signs and symptoms depending on where they are in your mouth and how advanced they are. Some cavities don’t have any noticeable symptoms until they’ve progressed considerably, and are sometimes only discovered when your dentist takes an X-ray.

If you have a cavity, you might notice the following as the decay gets larger:

It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene at home to prevent cavities, and to keep regular cleaning appointments and dental exams with Dr. Ryo in order to catch cavities before they have a chance to grow.

Can You Repair A Cavity?

Yes. To repair a cavity, Dr.Ryo will drill the tooth to clear out the decayed dental tissue, then fill the cavity with a strong material such as porcelain. In more severe cases, you may need either a crown to cover your tooth after the diseased portion has been removed, or possibly even a root canal treatment, in which the diseased root and nerve are cleaned or removed.

we are happy to offer white dental fillings for great oral health and a pleasing smile. Our RYO DENTAL CLINIC team has the knowledge, skills, and experience to fill your cavities or replace your old silver fillings with our tooth-colored dental filling material so that you no longer have to see the unsightly silver fillings and you can rest assured that they are free of mercury. Furthermore we only use the best material ,ceramic or zirconia which can expect to stay over a decade or two If it’s well maintained.
The advantage of treating cavities at RYO DENTAL CLINIC is, you can finish cavity treatment all in one day.

→Same-Day Crown

Is It Painful To Repair A Cavity?

Many dental fillings are carried out using a local anesthetic to reduce sensitivity and discomfort. It is not unusual for a tooth to be sensitive for a day or two after it has been filled. The deeper the filling, the more likely the tooth will have prolonged sensitivity to cold food or beverages. However, most fillings should be completely back to a normal comfort level within a couple weeks.

Can I Prevent Tooth Decay?

Yes. As cavities are a common dental problem for many people, a lot is known about them, how and why they occur, and thus how best to prevent them. Cavities can occur from a combination of factors, including what kinds of food and beverages you consume, how well you manage and clean your teeth on a daily basis, and how often you visit the dentist for deeper routine dental cleanings and exams. According to Dr. Ryo Kitamura in his years of dental experience, ensuring optimal habits related to these factors can help you prevent cavities.

Cavity Fillings

What are tooth-colored fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings are made of a porcelain or a zirconia designed to be extremely strong and durable. Unlike metal amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings can be tinted to match the surrounding tooth material so they blend in and look natural.

Are tooth-colored fillings better than traditional metal fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings offer several advantages over traditional metal amalgam fillings, including an improved cosmetic appearance compared to metal fillings, which are much more obvious and tend to become darker over time. They also can be shaped so they feel comfortable and help to support a healthy, balanced bite. Plus, the material itself adheres well to the tooth surface, using a special solution to prepare the surface so it bonds with the tooth instead of simply laying on top and enabling decay-causing bacteria to “leak in” around the edges. And of course, tooth-colored fillings contain no mercury; metal fillings contain large amounts of mercury, which can pose health dangers.

What happens in the tooth filling procedure?

Before the filling is put in place, your tooth will be evaluated to determine the extent of decay or damage. Sometimes, damage can be examined visually and with special instruments or picks, but other times, x-rays will be needed to assess the tooth structure. Next, the decayed or damaged area will need to be completely removed and sterilized with laser and the cavity will be cleaned of debris. Once the cavity is completely cleaned and prepared, we will take a digital impression of your teeth with a 3D scanner “Primescan”, then design your filling/inlay on computer screen. This data will get submitted to the CEREC “Primemill” which will mill your custom made porcelain filling/inlay. In the last step, we will glaze the new filling/inlay to match the appearance of the surrounding teeth. Once finalized, the filling/inlay can be placed on the prepared tooth.

Same-day crowns/fillings/inlays are time and price efficient option as you will only come to our clinic for a single appointment.