1. TUGAS I
Dental Cavity
Vina Widya Putri
J2A017017
S1 KEDOKTERAN GIGI
FAKULTAS KEDOKTERAN GIGI
UNIVERSITAS MUHAMMADIYAH SEMARANG
2017
2. WHAT ARE CAVITIES?
Dental cavities are holes in teeth caused by
tooth decay. Cavities are also referred to as
caries.
3. What are microcavities?
Teeth are in an environment of constant acid attack that strips the teeth
of important minerals and breaks the teeth down. While this attack is constantly
occurring, minerals are also be constantly replenished through mineral-rich saliva
and fluoridated water and toothpaste. In addition to fluoride, calcium and
phosphate also help to remineralize enamel. When the demineralization starts and
is confined to the outermost layer of enamel, it is called a microcavity, or incipient
cavity.
These types of cavities rarely need anything more than very conservative
treatment. Only when the cavity breaks through the enamel layer and into the
dentin does it really threaten the tooth. So when these microcavities are detected,
it is best to try a remineralization protocol to see if they can be reversed instead of
jumping to a filling right away. A dentist will help in determining the most effective
conservative treatment for these early cavities.
4. How does a cavity form?
Two main factors contribute to tooth decay: bacteria in the mouth and a diet
high in sugar and starch. There are over 500 different types of bacteria that are
normally present in the mouth. These bacteria combine with food and saliva to form a
sticky substance called plaque that attaches to teeth. Foods rich in starches add to the
stickiness of the plaque, which begins to get hard if it remains on the teeth after a
couple of days and turns into tartar or calculus. Bacteria in the plaque convert sugar
into acid that dissolves the tooth structure, causing holes, or cavities. Because of these
two contributing factors, dental caries have been described as a "dietobacterial"
disease
5. The parts of teeth that are most vulnerable to tooth decay are areas
where plaque can accumulate most easily. Plaque tends to settle into the pits
and fissures in the tops of teeth, into the areas in between the teeth, and next to
the gum line. Where there is plaque, there are bacteria and acid, and eventually
destruction of the tooth surface. The cavity starts in the outer layer of the tooth
(enamel) and as it gets deeper, penetrates into the softer inner layer of the tooth
(dentin). Typically, it isn't until the decay reaches the dentin that a person will
start to notice signs and symptoms of the cavity.
6.
7. What risk factors contribute to tooth decay?
Saliva helps prevent plaque from attaching to teeth and helps wash away and
digest food particles. A low salivary flow or dry mouth leaves the teeth more
vulnerable to tooth decay. This is particularly common in patients with diseases
that feature dryness of the mouth, such as Sjögren's syndrome and other
diseases of the salivary glands. Genetic factors that affect tooth decay are the
following:
1. Tooth size and shape
2. Thickness of enamel
3. Tooth position and bite
4. Tooth eruption time and sequence
8. When a cavity advances deep into the tooth, it may produce increased
sensitivity to foods that are cold, hot, or sweet. But not all cavities will cause a
toothache. If they are small or progressing slowly, they may only be detected by a
dentist before they cause pain. Cavities on front teeth are easiest for a person to
see, and they will be visible as a light or dark brown spot. The brown spot is tooth
structure that has become soft due to the acid attack from bacteria. Generally,
light brown represents a fast-growing cavity and dark brown represents a slower-
growing cavity. If the cavity gets large enough, part of the affected tooth may break
off and leave a hole.
What are the signs and symptoms of cavities?
9. How are cavities diagnosed?
A dentist can detect a cavity by using a sharp instrument to feel
tooth structure that has been softened by tooth decay. If a cavity forms in
between the teeth, it may only be visible on an X-ray. Other diagnostic tools
that are used to detect cavities include ultrasound, fluorescence, or
fiberoptic transillumination. Regular dental exams are recommended so
cavities can be diagnosed when they are small cavities (incipient caries or
microcavities) instead of waiting until they grow large enough to produce
pain and require more extensive treatment.
10. What is the treatment for cavities?
There are three things to consider in the treatment of dental cavities:
PREVENTION
RESTORATION
REMINERALIZATION
11. PREVENTION
A greater emphasis on preventive dentistry has helped reduce the incidence of
premature tooth loss. Since we can't eliminate the bacteria that are in the mouth, limiting the
amount and frequency of sugars and starches in our diet is the easiest way to prevent dental
caries. Maintaining a healthy diet to prevent tooth decay is very important in children and
toddlers both for baby teeth and as they start to get their adult teeth. Sugary soft drinks and
juices are especially harmful to the teeth. When possible, sweeteners such as sucralose should
be substituted for sucrose because they can't be digested by bacteria. Xylitol is another sugar
substitute that actually kills bacteria, so chewing xylitol gum after meals will greatly reduce the
incidence of cavities. Plaque can be removed from the outside of teeth by brushing and from in
between the teeth with dental floss. Use of a mouthwash also helps by limiting the number of
harmful bacteria in the mouth. A dentist will often suggest placing plastic sealants in the pits
and grooves of teeth in children to protect them from decay. Visiting the dentist regularly will
help prevent cavities from forming or catch them when they're small.
12. REMINERALIZATION
Shallow cavities can be reversed when they are treated with a substance that
contains fluoride or calcium. This "rehardening" process is known as tooth
remineralization. Fluoride makes the enamel more resistant to cavities and can be
applied to teeth through fluoride toothpastes, supplements, dental office fluoride
treatments and varnishes, and fluoridated water. The amount of fluoride exposure must
be carefully controlled though, because high levels can be toxic.
13. When a cavity is too large to be remineralized, it must be restored. If the
cavity is still small, it can be restored with a filling made of composite or silver
amalgam. If a large part of the tooth is decayed, it will need to be covered with a
crown. Crowns are typically made of gold, porcelain, or zirconium. If the cavity has
extended to the center of the tooth and infected the nerve, a root canal will have
to be performed. Sometimes, the cavity infects a majority of the tooth surface and
the tooth has to be extracted. Areas where teeth have been extracted can usually
be restored with dental implants or bridges. Baby teeth that get cavities may be
restored with a filling, a stainless steel crown, extraction, or pulpotomy. It is very
important that kids get their baby teeth treated so that abscesses don't form and
oral disease doesn't keep increasing into adulthood.
RESTORATION
