What Are the Signs of a Cavity?
The signs and symptoms of tooth decay depend on factors like the location and extent of the pain and the number of teeth affected. Minor surface cavities may not cause any symptoms to begin with, but as the cavity gets worse, you may experience the following:
- White spots on the surface of the tooth indicate early tooth decay
- Brown or black spots on the surface of the tooth suggest developing tooth decay
- Visible holes or dents in the tooth enamel
- Sensitivity or toothache in a pronounced area of a tooth
- Generalized toothache or jaw pain
- Pain when eating or drinking, especially hot, cold, sugary, or sour items
- Pain when biting down or chewing food
Not all toothaches are the same. If you are concerned you may have a cavity, get in touch with our Dickson office to schedule an exam with Dr. Gatgens. He will look for signs of tooth decay during an oral exam and use high-quality X-ray images to see between teeth and any existing fillings.
How Do You Treat Cavities?
Our expert dentist Dr. Gatgens uses modern techniques and advanced technology to make your dental experience painless, efficient, and affordable. We use the highest quality tooth-colored fillings to blend in with your natural smile. If a cavity is deeper, Dr. Gatgens may need to use an inlay or onlay to replace the missing structure and restore your tooth.
Most cavities will only require thoroughly cleaning the space, removing any decaying tooth structure, and filling it in with a tooth-colored composite material. Dr. Gatgens may utilize a same day CEREC crown for tooth decay that is deeper or placed in a spot that would be difficult to fill. We’ll still fill the cavity with packing material and cover the whole tooth with a tooth-colored porcelain crown.
If the decay reaches the root or pulp of the tooth to the point that it is beyond repair with just a filling or crown, you may need a root canal to remove the dead or damaged nerve, blood vessels, and tissue along with the decayed portions of the tooth. This root space will be filled with sealing material and may sometimes require a crown.
What Are the Signs of a Cavity?
The signs and symptoms of tooth decay depend on factors like the location and extent of the pain and the number of teeth affected. Minor surface cavities may not cause any symptoms to begin with, but as the cavity gets worse, you may experience the following:
- White spots on the surface of the tooth indicate early tooth decay
- Brown or black spots on the surface of the tooth suggest developing tooth decay
- Visible holes or dents in the tooth enamel
- Sensitivity or toothache in a pronounced area of a tooth
- Generalized toothache or jaw pain
- Pain when eating or drinking, especially hot, cold, sugary, or sour items
- Pain when biting down or chewing food
Not all toothaches are the same. If you are concerned you may have a cavity, get in touch with our Dickson office to schedule an exam with Dr. Gatgens. He will look for signs of tooth decay during an oral exam and use high-quality X-ray images to see between teeth and any existing fillings.
How Do You Treat Cavities?
Our expert dentist Dr. Gatgens uses modern techniques and advanced technology to make your dental experience painless, efficient, and affordable. We use the highest quality tooth-colored fillings to blend in with your natural smile. If a cavity is deeper, Dr. Gatgens may need to use an inlay or onlay to replace the missing structure and restore your tooth.
Most cavities will only require thoroughly cleaning the space, removing any decaying tooth structure, and filling it in with a tooth-colored composite material. Dr. Gatgens may utilize a same day CEREC crown for tooth decay that is deeper or placed in a spot that would be difficult to fill. We’ll still fill the cavity with packing material and cover the whole tooth with a tooth-colored porcelain crown.
If the decay reaches the root or pulp of the tooth to the point that it is beyond repair with just a filling or crown, you may need a root canal to remove the dead or damaged nerve, blood vessels, and tissue along with the decayed portions of the tooth. This root space will be filled with sealing material and may sometimes require a crown.
Say Goodbye to Cavities at Accent Smile Center
At Accent Smile Center, we want to help you get a beautiful smile. No matter your age or where you are in your dental journey, we’ll help guide you to a more confident smile every step. Dr. Gatgens has years of dental education and experience to help you maintain a healthy smile!
Schedule an initial consultation today to learn more about how to keep your smile healthy and how our team can help you. We look forward to helping you along your dental journey!