Drilling a Cavity 101

Cavities have become a regular sighting in the life of modern man. So, why does something that is so commonly seen and trivial require so much loud drilling, and is it possible to avoid the drilling altogether? Why do dentists drill cavities in the first place, after all, there must be other, less bothersome options available, right?

Well, no matter how insignificant a problem may seem, regular visits to the dentist are a must if we want to maintain good dental health. And, sometimes dental care may involve a healthy dose of cavity drilling. Additionally, if you’re having issues with cavities yourself, DM Dental Matters is the ideal place to visit for a healthy cavity-free smile. Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of teeth drilling.

How Do Cavities Form?

To fully understand the importance of teeth drilling and why it’s unavoidable in most cases we must first explain how exactly cavities are formed. Essentially cavities are a form of tooth decay caused by acids which consist of sugary food substances, saliva, and bacteria. These acids will then continue to erode the enamel of your teeth until its regeneration cannot keep up with the erosion. This is what causes cavities to form.

Cavities can form on the outer layer of your tooth as well as the inner layer depending on the location of substance buildup. Some gum diseases might also contribute to the development of tooth decay.

It’s important to note that all kinds of food can cause tooth decay and not only sweets, especially if proper dental care isn’t present. Cavities can be very painful and this pain is often what prompts us to go see a dentist, so be sure to act quickly in order to steer clear of drilled teeth. After all, pain shouldn’t be the only motivation for a dentist visit.

The Procedure of Drilling Cavities

Now that we got cavities out of the way we may proceed to the drilling. While it may sound scary, drilling cavities is a quick and painless procedure. First, the dentist will inject an anesthetic into the gums to numb the pain and make the procedure comfortable for the patient. The anesthetics are necessary for a painless cavity removal since teeth have nerves inside of them which would make the drilling very painful. If the thought of a teeth drill still scares you, dental health professionals are specifically trained to ease your anxiety regarding dental procedures. So, we assure you that you are in capable hands.

After the anesthetic starts working the dentist will drill out all the bacteria and cavities so dental fillings can be placed safely. If any bacteria are left they may cause further decay and complications, it would be a lot like sweeping dust under a rug. This is why no matter how loud and annoying the sound of the drill is, the drilling process must be done with utmost care and detail.

Sometimes when bacteria and sugary substances accumulate at the root of the tooth, decay forms on the inner layer of the tooth. If that happens your dentist will then drill out a bit of the healthy part of the tooth to get to the problem area. Healthy parts of the tooth may also be removed if the cavity is so small that there isn’t enough working space. The time and amount of drilling all depend on the severity of the decay and its location.

After all of the bacteria have been removed, it’s time to place a cavity filling. Once the filling has been placed it is sealed in place by a special kind of light that reacts with the filling material. With polishing and modeling it to fit your bite, the cavity-filling procedure is complete.

Are There Alternatives to the Teeth Drill?

For the most part, the drill is the best option for cavity removal, especially for more serious procedures such as root canals. Some smaller cavities may be removed with a water laser, a precise high-pressure hose used for surface-level tooth decay.

Untreated cavities may lead to more serious procedures such as tooth extractions. Drilling is still your best option for thorough decay removal.

Decay Prevention

When it comes to the prevention of tooth decay it’s important to target the root of the problem, substance buildup. In most cases being diligent with your dental hygiene would be enough to prevent or at least decrease the occurrence of tooth cavities. Brushing your teeth and regular flossing should eliminate sugary substances and bacteria buildup on your teeth.

Regular dentist visits are also a must for healthy teeth. You should visit your dental professional for a checkup every 6 months. If you follow all of these instructions avoiding the tooth drill should be no problem at all.

Unfortunately, if the cause of the decay is gum disease then these preventive measures may not be enough. Consulting with a dental professional is a must in those cases.

The Dental Drill

The reason why most people aren’t that excited at the thought of cavity drilling is the infamous dental drill. So, let’s talk about the instrument itself and chase that anxiety away.

This handy dental tool isn’t only used for drilling cavities, it’s also the star instrument of cosmetic dentistry, and is also used to polish tooth fillings and alter prostheses.

The handpiece is made up of internal mechanical components which serve to initiate a rotational force, which powers up the dental burr. Depending on the type of procedure that it’s used for, there may be additional things involved, such as a light source or a cooling water-spray system, which are incorporated into the handpiece. And, when it comes to the material dental burrs are typically made of either tungsten carbide or diamond. All in all, these tools are very intricately made, and even though they excel at high-speed cutting, they’re completely safe. So, remember all this the next time you need to go and get a drilled cavity – the tooth drill is your friend, not an enemy.