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500 Alfred Nobel Drive Suite 285 - Hercules, CA 94547
Tel (510) 741-7041 - Fax (510) 224-5995
2014 All Right Reserved - T. Nguyen, DDS, Corporation.
Cavity Detection
When a tooth has decayed and developed a cavity, it’s important to remove the decay and restore the tooth. Treatment will stop the decay from growing and weakening the tooth, and prevent bacteria from infecting the inner layers of the tooth.
We locate tooth decay by performing a comprehensive exam through visual inspection and the use of a dental explorer, x-rays, and when necessary, specialized equipment. Decay is sometimes easy to see on the biting surfaces of the teeth. A dental explorer is used to check the top and sides of your teeth, which sticks slightly when it touches decayed areas. X-rays can locate more advanced decay inside the tooth or between teeth. On x-rays, cavities show up as dark spots, like these.
During your exam, you may hear us identify the location of a cavity by using numbers and letters. They help us identify the specific surface of a particular tooth. If we find cavities in your teeth, we’ll remove the decay and place a filling or other restoration. There are several types of restorations and we’ll discuss with you the best type for your situation.
Treating decay as soon as possible can often prevent it from causing further damage and more extensive treatment.
