From Hole to Whole: Treatment Options for Cavities By Yamen Akhras on July 13, 2017

Cavities are the most basic enemy of a healthy mouth. Fortunately, at Premier Dental & Implant Center, we offer a comprehensive range of dental services, including those designed to restore form, function, and health to teeth affected by cavities. We provide these services to patients of all ages and will happily serve the special needs of every member of your family, from the youngest to the oldest.

Although people are taught how to avoid cavities from early childhood, they remain the most common of all dental problems, with a remarkable 92 percent of adults aged 20 to 64 having had cavities in their permanent teeth according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. In other words, if you have a cavity, you are far from alone.

At Premier Dental & Implant Center, you will never have to worry about feeling judged for the state of your mouth. We are concerned only with the future of your oral health and how we can help you achieve the healthiest smile possible for a lifetime. We will discuss the available treatment options for cavities during your consultation at our Orland Park, IL, practice and help you find the treatment plan that is best suited to your particular needs and goals.

If you are in need of cavity treatment, or if you are experiencing tooth pain, please don’t hesitate to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Yamen Akhras at Premier Dental & Implant Center today.

How Does Dr. Akhras Treat Cavities?

There are several treatment options for treating cavities, depending on the extent of the cavity and the strength and stability of the remaining tooth structure. First, Dr. Akhras will remove any decayed tooth matter. He will then restore the tooth using one of the following treatments:

Tooth-colored filling: Modern tooth-colored fillings are constructed of a composite resin material that is as strong and as durable as silver amalgam fillings. However, unlike their silver amalgam counterparts, tooth-colored fillings blend seamlessly into the smile and are completely mercury-free.
Ceramic inlays and onlays: Custom-crafted ceramic inlays and onlays are potentially ideal for the treatment of cavities that are too large to be treated with tooth-colored fillings. Inlays are crafted to treat cavities that occur within the protruding cusps of a tooth, while onlays are crafted to treat cavities that extend to one or more of the cusps.
Dental crowns: If a cavity is so large that the remaining tooth is not structurally strong enough to stand on its own, then Dr. Akhras will cover the entire tooth from the gum line up with a dental crown. A dental crown replicates the visible surface area of the tooth, encasing it in ceramic so that its stability and strength are restored and it is protected from further damage.