Why Does a Cavity on the Side of a Tooth Need to Be Treated?

Hello!

I’m Dr. Yoon Tae-ho from Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic.

Today, I’d like to explain one of the most common things we treat in dentistry, regardless of age.

These days, we also see more younger patients.

Many people say, “It’s not sensitive, so I’ll treat it later.”

But even if it does not feel sensitive, there is definitely a reason why treatment is still needed!

Why does a cavity on the side of a tooth need to be treated?

Please read this post to the end~!

A cavity on the side of a tooth is a cervical abrasion lesion!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and found that the side of a tooth was worn away?

Or when brushing your teeth, have you ever felt with the tip of your tongue that the side of a tooth felt sunken in?

Let’s take a look at a photo~?

241224

The tooth is worn down near the gumline, right~?

We call this symptom cervical abrasion.

The area where the tooth and gum meet

Because this is the neck portion of the tooth, it is called the cervical area.

It refers to a condition in which this area has been worn down and the tooth has been ground away.

241224 Tooth neck area = cervical area

Why does cervical abrasion develop without us noticing?

There are several possible causes.

First, aggressive brushing.

(Brushing side to side with force)

Brushing with too much force can injure the gums, but it can also wear away the side of the tooth.

In particular, check whether you have the habit of scrubbing back and forth side to side!

Second, people with strong jaw force.

People who clench their teeth or have a strong biting force may concentrate stress on the teeth, which can weaken certain areas.

Third, when the gums have receded

As a result of aging, the jawbone may dissolve, exposing part of the tooth root.

In any case, once a tooth becomes worn down, people may feel sensitivity to cold water or sour foods.

But if the stimulation continues, the area becomes desensitized,

so even if the tooth has worn away, it may not feel sensitive and it may not hurt.

230525 Severely worn tooth

Because this is wear on the side of the tooth, it does not interfere with eating, so you may think, “Do I really need to treat this?”

The problem is that it progresses.

That is because we use our teeth every day for brushing and eating ^^

If left as it is, it can wear down more deeply, and the nerve inside the tooth may become exposed.

If the progression continues, the tooth can even snap and break.

Since natural teeth keep wearing away, that is not a good thing.

Treatment for cervical abrasion is very simple: we fill in and restore the worn neck area!

There are insurance-covered materials that are affordable, and there is also resin material.

250417 The front teeth were restored with resin material.

For front teeth that are easy to see, treatment is usually done with resin, which has excellent aesthetics.

It does not differ much in color from your natural teeth, and because it is bonded to the tooth with adhesive, it does not come off easily.

221201

This is the insurance-covered material, GI.

It is called glass ionomer, but because the name is difficult, we usually just refer to it as the insurance-covered material.

Because it releases fluoride, it helps relieve sensitivity, and since it is covered by insurance, the cost burden is low.

However, its color is milky, so it is noticeable, and because it is placed on top without using adhesive, it can come off easily.

Because of its color, it is mainly used to fill molar areas that are not easily visible~

Even if it is not sensitive, treatment is necessary! .

Rather than thinking, “Let’s treat it when it gets sensitive,” it is wisest to think, “Let’s treat it as soon as it is found.”

That is because it greatly helps extend the life of the tooth~

Let me wrap up with a summary.

Cervical abrasion is when the neck area of the tooth has worn away.

If left untreated, it will wear down more deeply, so it is best to restore it. It is a simple treatment using resin or GI.

If you remember these three things, then you have properly read today’s postㅎㅎ

Thank you!

| This article was written by a medical professional in accordance with the Medical Service Act for the purpose of providing information to promote public health, and it is not intended as advertising or solicitation for any specific treatment or medical institution. |

#CervicalAbrasion #CavityOnTheSideOfATooth