Treatment of dental caries: causes, symptoms, stages and prices

Modern treatment of caries

Thanks to the constant improvement of techniques, today the diagnosis and treatment of dental caries is carried out at a high level, which allows for maximum preservation of healthy tissue. In addition, in situations where just a few years ago advanced caries led to mandatory tooth extraction, today tooth-preserving operations are performed. Among them are the following.

• Resection:
  treatment of tooth root caries by removing the apex of the root.
• Root amputation:
  removal of the damaged root part of a two-rooted or three-rooted tooth.
• Coronoradicular separation:
  separation of tooth roots. It is carried out when caries has affected the tooth in the area of ​​root branching.
• Hemisection:
  removal of the damaged part of a multi-rooted tooth and the adjacent crown area.

How to treat caries using traditional methods

Of course, it will not be possible to cure even average caries using traditional methods; you can only temporarily relieve the pain while you wait for an appointment with a doctor.

For this you can use:

• saline mouth rinse;
• camphor alcohol - by moistening a cotton swab with it, you can wipe not only the sore tooth, but also the gum near it;
• fir oil - a swab moistened with it should be placed on the tooth and adjacent gum and held for half an hour;
• alcohol infusion of horseradish - grate the horseradish, pour in vodka, leave for a couple of days, strain and apply a swab moistened with it to the sore tooth for ten minutes;
• infusion of onion peels - take a few spoons of onion peels, pour boiling water, leave for 24 hours, strain and rinse the mouth several times a day;
• garlic juice - get garlic juice using a blender or a garlic press, moisten a tampon in it and apply it to the tooth for 10-15 minutes.

You can also use traditional methods to treat caries in the initial stage - the spot stage. Here they will come to the rescue:

• sage decoction: you can rinse your mouth with the prepared solution almost an unlimited number of times;
• infusion of raspberry and mint leaves: leave the chopped leaves in wine vinegar for three days, strain and rinse your mouth with the resulting infusion;
• chicory root: fresh root can be chewed, and dried, pour water, leave and rinse your mouth;
• laundry soap: prepare a solution of soap and water and rinse your mouth with it;
• propolis: place a piece of propolis on a sore tooth, press with a cotton swab and leave for a while.

Indications for the treatment of dental caries

Indications are reduced to visual and tactile.

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Visual:

stains on the enamel, darkening of the cervical area of ​​the tooth, chipping of part of the tooth and darkening underneath it, a dark border around the perimeter of the filling, a carious hole.

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Tactile:

aching pain when eating sweet, salty and sour foods, and acute pain from sudden temperature changes.

Prevention of caries

Even strict adherence to hygienic rules for oral care does not mean that you can ignore visiting the dentist once every six months. Regular, thorough teeth cleaning alone is not enough; special professional cleaning is necessary to completely remove plaque and formed stones. The doctor also carries out a procedure that is effective for disease prevention to restore the mineral balance of tooth tissue. Remineralization increases resistance to disease and is a mandatory step in teeth whitening - before and after.

Of particular importance in preventive measures is the sealing of dental fissures. Today in dental practice, the use of sealants that cover fissures and blind dental pits is widely accepted. It is painless and is usually prescribed for children and adolescents.

Incorrect bite and misaligned teeth can also trigger the development of caries, so treating these deficiencies is not just a solution to the issue of attractiveness, it is a matter of dental health. It is necessary to consult an orthodontist and carry out treatment with him if necessary.

Types of caries by localization

fissure

It begins in the physiological recesses of the chewing teeth - fissures. The patient cannot detect it during self-examination.

Approximal (or contact)

It begins on the contacting surfaces of adjacent teeth. As a rule, this is a consequence of not using floss or irrigator as part of hygiene.

Cervical

It begins at the base of the gum, gradually destroying the neck of the tooth. It is the result of severe tartar.

Interior

It begins under the tooth filling if errors were made during its installation.

Under the crown

It begins under the crown if it does not fit tightly to the tooth, causing microscopic food debris to accumulate.

Reasons for the development of the carious process

The development of caries largely depends on the individual characteristics of the body. For example, in women with hormonal imbalances, plaque accumulates on the teeth more often, which leads to an increased attack from bacteria. In general, caries is caused by pathological microorganisms, which become much more numerous in the oral cavity than good bacteria. And their appearance is caused by the following reasons:

1. lack of proper hygiene: brushing your teeth for 20-30 seconds in the morning and evening is very little. Dentists' recommendations are at least 2 minutes twice a day, as well as removing food debris that accumulates in narrow spaces after eating. Gradually they transform into plaque, which is a provocateur of many dental diseases, including caries,
2. poor nutrition: excessive consumption of sweet foods and changes in the PH composition of saliva - all this again contributes to the formation of plaque and an increased attack of bacteria,
3. age: it has been established that the destructive processes of primary teeth actively develop in the first years of children’s lives. As you get older, the likelihood of developing dental diseases decreases. This is influenced by the fact that adults pay more attention to oral hygiene. In old age, the risk of caries increases again - this is the result of various diseases of the body and insufficient oral hygiene,
4. pregnancy and lactation, that is, during those periods when a woman loses many vitamins and minerals, in particular calcium and fluoride,
5. lack of vitamins and, as a result, increased fragility of tooth enamel,
6. genetics: a predisposition to many diseases of the gums and teeth is passed on from parents.

Types of caries according to severity

Initial caries

Characterized by a change in the color of the enamel: the so-called white spot caries. Does not cause discomfort to the patient.

Superficial caries

Characterized by the appearance of dark spots on the enamel. The affected tooth may react weakly to cold, sour or sweet foods for a short time.

Average caries

Characterized by destruction of dentin. Painful sensations to external stimuli are more pronounced and last longer.

Deep caries

Characterized by damage to a large area of ​​tooth enamel and dentin. The pain does not go away without the use of analgesics.

Complications of caries

Most often, the cause of complications with dental caries is the person himself, however, improper treatment can lead to unpleasant consequences (which is why choosing a dental clinic is so important). The development of untreated dental caries leads to negative changes in the structure of dentin, it becomes infected, the pulp becomes inflamed (the disease is called “pulpitis”), which is accompanied by acute pain. However, pain occurs not only with inflammation of the pulp, but also with deep caries, since the pulp chamber is covered only by a thin layer of affected tissue, which cannot protect against mechanical pressure on the neurovascular bundle during meals.

Teeth can also hurt in the middle stage: the nerve endings in the area of ​​the enamel-dentin line react to external influences, causing pain.

Deep infection often leads to complications. In some cases, phlegmons and abscesses develop, which pose a significant threat to the general condition of the patient, and sometimes even to his life. the body has to devote all its strength to fighting the source of infection, the immune system is weakened, which can lead to the occurrence of systemic diseases. In such situations, it is often necessary to resort to surgery to get rid of the purulent contents and prevent the infection from spreading further.

Modern methods of treating dental caries

Today, there are several methods for treating caries, differing in the degree of surgical intervention - the earlier the degree of development of the disease, the greater the likelihood that it will be possible to get rid of it with few sacrifices.

Modern technologies for treating caries without preparation:

• Remineralization:
  a procedure for treating enamel caries, which involves treating the tooth surface with a solution containing fluoride, phosphorus and calcium. The patient is also prescribed a number of medications to take orally. Helps in the treatment of white caries, or caries in the spot stage.
• Infiltration:
  chemical-mechanical treatment is also a method of treating caries without preparing Icon. It is used for initial caries and only on smooth surfaces or between teeth. First, a gel is applied to the carious area, which splits the affected enamel; the site of bacterial development is dried under the influence of ethyl alcohol and an air stream and treated with a polymer resin, which fills the enamel pores. The entire procedure lasts about fifteen minutes.
• Air abrasive treatment:
  “knocking out” superficial caries using a powerful stream of abrasive particles. The force of action is designed to affect only soft tissues affected by bacteria. The method is painless, and therefore there is no need for anesthesia. Air abrasive treatment reduces the risk of microcracks forming after treatment, in some cases it is even more effective than a drill. However, this method of caries treatment is not always applicable.
• Ozone treatment:
  destruction of caries bacteria using a natural antibiotic and oxidizing agent - ozone. Another method of non-contact treatment of caries. Ozone not only suppresses infection, but also has a remineralizing effect on tissue. During the procedure, a special device converts ozone from oxygen and supplies it to the affected area. Ozone destroys bacteria and is converted back into oxygen. The technology for treating caries with ozone allows you to leave healthy cells intact. Another advantage is that there is no need for anesthesia. The treatment time for caries using this method is less than a minute. Like the previous one, it is suitable only in the initial stages of caries or as its prevention.
• ART technique:
  restorative therapy, during which, using a special instrument, the affected tissue is removed and the cavity is filled with special dental cement. This method of treating caries was invented in third world countries, where it was not possible to open full-fledged dental offices, but it is also used in developed countries. Completely manual work allows you to act carefully and preserve as much healthy tissue as possible.
• Laser treatment:
  an effective technique for eliminating superficial and intermediate caries (for example, in the treatment of dentin caries) using laser fluorescence. During the procedure, a bactericidal solution is used, which cools the tooth and reduces pain. In addition, laser devices do not produce vibrations, which could increase pain. That is why the laser treatment method is indicated primarily for children and pregnant women. The laser selectively acts on the affected area, “evaporating” it, and disinfects the resulting cavity, thus eliminating the risk of developing secondary caries.
• Treatment of dental caries with diet:
  a method of treating caries naturally, developed based on the scientific theory of the American researcher Ramiel Nagel. According to his observations, caries does not have an infectious-bactericidal nature, but is associated with the weakening and destruction of enamel due to a lack of necessary substances. Therefore, the problem can be solved with proper nutrition. Adherents of natural treatment recommend actively using cod liver, fish caviar, butter and other products containing fat-soluble vitamins, nutritious broths, as well as chicken, beef and fish. It is better not to overuse fruits - due to their high sugar content - and combine them with small portions of fat, such as cream.

How are caries treated in dentistry?

If we are talking about caries, which has already overcome the stain stage and has begun to affect the soft and hard tissues of the teeth, then only a qualified dentist can help with its treatment. How to treat dental caries in a particular patient, separately about caries during pregnancy, the doctor determines individually after a visual examination of the tooth, an x-ray and other diagnostic methods.

Most often, when treating caries, the following algorithm of actions is followed:

1. Cleaning teeth from plaque. The dentist removes plaque and deposits (both soft and hard) from the tooth. To do this, the doctor uses professional tools and special abrasive pastes. Massive dental plaque is removed using special ultrasonic attachments.
2. Determining the color of the tooth being treated. Using a special scale, the dentist selects the shade of the tooth enamel so that the filling is not visually noticeable in the future.
3. Anesthesia. If we are talking about the middle or deep stages of caries, the doctor uses anesthesia. The dentist determines the choice of a specific drug, as well as the place of its administration, on an individual basis.
4. Removal of affected tissue. At this stage, the dentist drills out the edges of the enamel and removes the caries-affected area on the dentin. It is very important that all carious tissue is carefully removed and cleaned, otherwise, subsequently, under the filling, caries will continue its destructive effect and lead to various complications, such as periodontitis or pulpitis.
5. Isolation of the tooth being treated from saliva. To do this, the dentist can use gauze or cotton swabs, which are used to cover the tooth on all sides. Also, to isolate from saliva, the doctor can use a modern rubber dam - a special latex with holes. It can be used to isolate several teeth at once.
6. Treatment of carious cavity with antiseptics and medications.
7. Etching is the treatment of dentin and tooth enamel with acid. After the gel penetrates deeply into the tooth tissue, its remnants are washed off and the tooth surface is dried.
8. Insulating gasket. It is placed at the bottom of the cavity to avoid shrinkage of the filling.
9. Direct tooth filling. On an individual basis, the dentist selects a filling material and places a filling, thereby restoring the original shape of the tooth.
10. The final stage of caries treatment, which includes grinding and polishing the installed filling. The surface of the filling will become smooth, and the patient will not have any unusual sensations in the mouth.

Classical treatment of caries in permanent teeth

In advanced cases, non-invasive treatment methods for caries will not help, so specialists turn to the old but effective removal of caries using drilling.

The procedure involves cleaning the affected canals using a drill; if dentin is damaged, pulp and infected tooth tissue can also be removed. It should be noted that the devices that are used for this today have gone far ahead of those that once brought fear to our grandparents. Anesthesia and disinfectants can reduce the pain effect and make the procedure more comfortable for the patient. To complete the treatment of caries, a filling or crown is placed on the tooth and adjusted so that the patient does not feel any discomfort.

What methods do dentists use to combat caries?

All methods of treating dental caries can be divided into two large groups - invasive and non-invasive. The first involves treating enamel caries without preparation. This option is most often used when the carious lesion is in its initial stage, there is no extensive damage to the deep tissues of the tooth, or there are indications for anesthesia.

Invasive technologies are used much more often and involve tooth preparation and removal of tissue affected by caries. The degree of preparation depends on how severely and deeply the tooth is affected.

The optimal treatment regimen and method is always selected by the dentist, taking into account age, individual characteristics, stage of disease development, anesthesia tolerance and other factors.

Main stages of the procedure

If for caries in the stain stage, treatment comes down to brushing the teeth with a special brush, applying a remineralizing composition and taking medications to strengthen the enamel, then in later stages it is necessary to remove the affected tissue and fill the cavity. In this scenario, the principle of caries treatment is as follows:

1. anesthesia;
2. preparation of a carious cavity;
3. removal of infected tissue;
4. cavity treatment;
5. tooth filling.

Caries treatment and filling are carried out in one appointment. If, during the treatment of caries, damage to the dental pulp is detected, it may require its removal.

Materials for filling

For several decades, amalgams and cement compounds have been used as filling materials, which are now being replaced by innovative composites. Thanks to them, it was possible to abandon unnecessary preparation of the cavity, including the removal of healthy tissue, and the cavity can now be treated not only with a bur, but also with a laser beam.

Progressive filling materials are distinguished by good adhesion and biological compatibility with living tissues. Caries treatment is performed using light-curing composites.

Dentists use various techniques for applying and combining these materials.

Choosing a filling

Previously, mainly mineral cements, acrylic and epoxy, and amalgams were used to make fillings. Today, outdated fillings, which were imperfect in terms of fixation and aesthetics, have been replaced by modern inlays. They improve the adhesion strength to the tooth surface, do not require labor-intensive installation, and are biocompatible with the human body. Among them, the most used are: composites, glass ionomer cements, ormocers, compomers. Materials can be combined to achieve the desired effect.

Is it possible to cure tooth decay at home?

Treatment of dental caries at home is impossible. However, this disease is preventable. To do this, you should regularly perform oral hygiene using calcium and fluoride toothpaste, visit the dentist twice a year and ensure that your diet contains enough proteins and fewer carbohydrates. For additional protection, you can apply gels to strengthen tooth enamel, which will saturate the teeth with minerals - they are not a cure for caries, but will help reduce the risk of developing the disease.

If it is too late to prevent caries, then herbal compresses and rinsing with strong tea will help temporarily reduce the intensity of pain. You can also press on the area between the lips and nose - there is a point there, the impact of which will send signals to the brain that distract it from the main source of pain. However, instead of diligently practicing traditional healing, it is better to turn to a professional as soon as possible. After all, only he will help you effectively cope with the problem.

Why is it better to treat caries at the Medikastom dental clinic?

1. Many years of experience. The dental clinic has been operating since 2000, successfully providing care to patients even with complex illnesses.
2. Highly qualified staff who treat each patient with care and sensitivity.
3. First-class equipment and modern drugs.
4. Using the latest developments and treatment methods.
5. Affordable cost of caries treatment.
6. Maximum comfortable conditions for the patient.
7. Caries treatment 24/7. Our clinic works for you around the clock, without holidays and weekends, providing qualified assistance when it is most needed.

You can get detailed information on caries treatment by calling us at +7(499) 283-71-58.

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Cost of caries treatment in Moscow

The cost of caries treatment in each specific case is calculated individually and consists of several components:

• what type of filling will be installed;
• what type of anesthesia will be used;
• how much work the doctor has to do.

Thus, installing a filling on a chewing tooth affected by caries in state dentistry can cost 900 rubles, since it involves the cheapest composite material. The cost of a light filling in a private dental clinic in Moscow varies between 1500 – 2500 rubles. Treatment of caries of anterior teeth exceeds 3,000 rubles, since there are increased demands on aesthetics. As for anesthesia, local anesthesia starts at 300 rubles per tooth, general anesthesia starts at 2,000 rubles, and treatment with sedation, depending on its degree, ranges from 3,000 to 15,000 rubles.

New technologies for caries treatment using laser

Another non-invasive method in which a laser beam non-contactly affects the affected tooth tissue without affecting healthy ones. The method has both pros and cons.

Main advantages:

• there is no need for anesthesia because the treatment is painless;
• You can treat teeth with laser from childhood;
• the laser beam destroys microbes and seals blood vessels, the risk of complications after such treatment is minimal;
• laser equipment does not make frightening and unpleasant sounds like a drill, so even small patients do not experience fear during the procedure;
• the device allows you to control the laser penetration depth and impact power;
• Unlike dental burs, the laser beam does not leave microcracks in the enamel.

The disadvantages of the method include the relatively high cost of treatment and the need to protect the eyes with special glasses. Like other non-invasive methods, laser therapy is effective only in the initial stages of caries.