A cavity does not heal on its own. Bacteria, acid, and plaque break down tooth enamel gradually, and by the time a cavity causes pain, decay has often reached deeper layers of the tooth. At Pasadena Dental Office and Orthodontics in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Arkady Tsibel DDS diagnoses cavities early using digital X-rays and treats them with the right level of care, from fluoride treatment for early decay to fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy when decay has reached the nerve.
Call us at (626) 219-7180 to schedule an appointment at our office conveniently located at 181 N Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106.
If the cavity has caused major damage to the tooth’s structure, a dental crown may be needed to protect and rebuild it.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance the body produces. It does not regenerate. Once acid from plaque bacteria has dissolved enough of it to open a cavity, that opening does not close on its own. The decay continues inward toward the natural teeth structure underneath.
Tooth decay starts at the enamel, then works through the dentin. It will eventually reaches the pulp chamber where the nerves are. Dentin is softer and more porous than enamel, so bacteria move faster once they get past the outer layer.
A dental filling placed at the enamel stage takes thirty to sixty minutes and requires minimal drilling. That same affected tooth treated at the pulp stage needs root canal therapy, a build-up, and a crown. Cost difference is significant. Time difference is significant. Untreated cavities can lead to tooth loss, which is why early dental care matters more than most patients realize.
Untreated caries was present in more than 1 in 5 adults across the US population at a prevalence of 21.3% between 2017 and 2020.
Some cavities produce symptoms. Many do not until they are well advanced. Below are the signs worth paying attention to.
Early stage decay produces no symptoms at all. Catching it at that stage requires a clinical examination and digital X-rays. Cavities are common in both children and adults, and routine dental care is the most effective way to prevent further damage before it starts.
The clinical exam comes first. A dental mirror and explorer probe cover every tooth surface. Buccal, lingual, occlusal, proximal faces all get checked. Softened enamel, dark spots, rough margins, restorations that have separated from the affected tooth underneath.
X-rays fill the gaps. Interproximal cavities between teeth do not show on a visual exam. Neither does decay forming under an existing filling or early dentin involvement that has not yet broken the surface. Digital radiographs catch those. An intraoral camera covers surfaces that standard instruments cannot reach clearly. In select cases, laser cavity detection identifies demineralized enamel at stages that probing alone would miss.
Treatment planning starts only after every finding from both the exam and imaging is confirmed. Which teeth need work, what the decay depth is, which filling material makes the most sense for each case. Dr. Tsibel will discuss every option and address concerns before the dental filling procedure begins.
“Finding decay early is the difference between a filling and a root canal. The goal on every examination is to catch it before it reaches that point.” – Dr. Arkady Tsibel, DDS
Which dental filling is used depends on how far the decay has traveled and where the affected area sits. Below are the different cavity treatment options available at our office.
Cavity treatment at Pasadena Dental Office and Orthodontics covers everything from the first exam through to the finished restoration. The experienced team walks through what to expect at each stage before anything begins. Below are what to expect during your treatment.
“The team were very helpful and explained how my clear aligners would work. They were honest about the process and did a great job fixing my smile. I chose them because they are very experienced and made sure I got a good result.” – Jay Decker
“The staff is amazing. I went in with a toothache and left very happy and pleased the doctor and the assistant Carmen help me get through this pain from the front staff Monica help me get a quick appointment on the same day.” – Carmen Sanchez
Cavities do not stop on their own. At Pasadena Dental Office and Orthodontics, Dr. Arkady Tsibel provides cavity treatment for patients across North Central, Sierra Madre, and Arcadia. Learn more about our general dentistry services to keep your smile healthy. Call (626) 219-7180 to book an appointment.
Dental fillings are made of composite resin, amalgam, gold, ceramic, porcelain, or glass ionomer. The type used depends on the location of the cavity, patient preference, and budget.
Yes, but only at the earliest demineralization stage. Once decay breaks through enamel, a dental filling is needed to stop it from spreading further.
No. A local anesthetic is used before the procedure begins. Patients may feel pressure but should not experience pain.
Dental fillings are used to restore teeth for varying lengths of time depending on the material. Composite resin lasts 7 to 10 years. Amalgam lasts 10 to 15 years. Gold lasts 20 years or more.
Yes, with some restrictions. Composite resin is fully hardened before leaving the chair. Amalgam needs a few hours to set, so harder foods should be avoided initially.
As soon as one is detected. Small cavities are treated with simple fillings only when caught early. The longer decay goes untreated, the more involved the repair becomes.
Yes. Most dental insurance plans cover dental fillings as part of basic restorative benefits. Coverage levels vary by plan and filling material.
