Dr. Jason Petkevis is a family dentist in Chester Springs, PA with experience treating tooth cavities in both children and adults. We provide Tooth-colored fillings for all ages in a caring and comfortable dentist office.
What Causes Tooth Cavities?
Tooth cavities, called dental caries by dentists, are in essence tooth decay. Most tooth cavities are caused by plaque buildup. When plaque comes in contact with sugar and starch, it activates bacteria in plaque. This process causes your plaque to attack and erode tooth enamel. As the tooth enamel breaks down and wears away, it leaves the tooth susceptible to the formation of tooth cavities.
Tooth Cavity Symptoms
Your dentist in Chester Springs can identify cavities before you even experience symptoms. In fact, any dentist can! So don’t assume they are only trying to get you to pay for more dental services. It is important to maintain regular dental check-ups at least twice a year. In advanced stages of tooth decay, you might experience a toothache. Tooth pain from a cavity is more likely to happen after consuming sweet, hot, or cold foods and drinks. Other signs of tooth decay are visible pits or holes in your teeth.
Diagnodent Laser Cavity Detection
Dr. Petkevis uses a powerful laser cavity-detection system called Diagnodent for early detection and diagnosis of tooth decay. This laser technology used by Diagnodent makes it easier to find decay hidden in cracks and crevices of teeth. Early intervention of tooth cavities means less pain, decreased risk of tooth damage, and less hassle for you down the road.
Treatment For Tooth Cavities in Chester Springs, PA
If you do have a tooth cavity or if your teeth are showing signs of decay, contact us today. Dr. Petkevis provides a number of general dentistry treatments to provide stability and protection to affected teeth. Tooth-colored dental fillings are often used to treat teeth with early stages of tooth decay.
Dental fillings can be placed in a single visit. They can last a lifetime with routine dental care. Other treatment options may include inlays, onlays, and dental crowns. For patients with advanced symptoms of tooth decay, a root canal may be required to bring the tooth to proper health. Although, you may not need a root canal if you visit your dentist as soon as you experience tooth pain.
Tooth Decay in Children
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America. Half of all first-graders and more than 80% of 17-year-olds have tooth cavities.
Pediatric dentistry is extremely important to help children and adolescents establish healthy mouths early for a lifetime of smiles. As a family dentist, Dr. Petkevis provides comprehensive treatment for children to prevent and treat tooth cavities.
Schedule a Dental Exam Visit
The best way to prevent tooth cavities is through regular visits to the dentist. Dr. Petkevis will examine your oral health and offer effective recommendations. Schedule an appointment with Chester Springs dentist Dr. Jason Petkevis for you and your family. Give us a call at (610) 400–1459, or schedule an appointment online today.
Dental Cavities FAQs
Who is most at risk for getting dental cavities?
Children are very susceptible to getting cavities simply due to lack of proper brushing and the consumption of sweet treats. Genetics can also be a factor. The best way to prevent tooth decay in your children is to help them properly brush their teeth twice a day! Also, make sure they are visiting a dentist every six months.
How are cavities treated?
Most tooth decay can be treated with a dental filling. However, if the cavity has gone too long without treatment, it may be too severe for a simple filling. In these cases, Dr. Petkevis will need to place a dental crown, inlay, or onlay. In both cases, the decayed portion of the tooth will be removed. Then it will be treated with a filling, crown, inlay, or onlay to protect the tooth from further damage.
Does a tooth filling hurt?
To help manage the pain, Dr. Petkevis will administer a local anesthetic in the area around the tooth that is being treated. For most people, this is enough to eliminate feeling any pain. However, during the treatment, you will feel some pressure while he works on the tooth. After the numbing begins to fade, you may feel some tingling in your mouth and some minor sensitivity. This should fade in a few days and you may take some over-the-counter pain relievers if you are experiencing any discomfort.