Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_"If You Leave It Alone, Will It Lead to an Implant?" [3. Treatment by Stage of Tooth Decay Progression]

Hello.

We are Dia Dental Clinic, protecting your healthy smile in Magok-dong.

Today’s weather? It was definitely sunny until yesterday…

What is this? There’s news of cherry blossom rain.

The cherry blossom petals that were drifting in the spring breeze will all fall away in today’s rain.

I wanted to keep them in my sight for just a few more days…

It seems we’ll have to look forward to a fuller cherry blossom viewing next year!

For those who had planned a flower outing this weekend, this rain news must feel quite disappointing.

But you know,

just like cherry blossoms, teeth that protect your beautiful smile can also be hard to fully understand, like cherry blossoms on a rainy day.

Even if they look fine on the outside,

there may be tooth decay quietly progressing on the inside.

Today, that tooth decay story continues.^^

Last time, we looked at the symptoms that appear when teeth decay.

If you thought, “Huh? This sounds like me?” I’ve placed the link again, so please check it out~

(The link is at the bottom, so you can take a look there.)

Now then, today is Part 3 of the tooth decay series!

“How much treatment is needed as tooth decay progresses?”

From here, I’ll explain in an easy-to-understand way how the treatment changes by stage, step by step.

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Tooth structure

First, shall we take a quick look at tooth structure?

Our teeth are made up of four layers from the outside: enamel → dentin → pulp → alveolar bone (jawbone supporting the gums).

• Enamel is the tooth’s hard outer wall and shield,

• the dentin inside it,

• the pulp farther inside, where nerves and blood vessels are concentrated,

• and the alveolar bone that supports the tooth roots.

Tooth decay slowly, very gradually, penetrates in this order.

Treatment methods by stage of tooth decay progression

Stage 1 – Enamel damage (resin restoration)

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Enamel damage

Enamel is the outermost and hardest protective layer of the tooth.

At this stage, there are usually no symptoms.

Why is that?

Enamel has no nerves. The decay has not yet reached the nerves.

So even if decay is slightly visible on the surface, there is no pain, making it easy to overlook.

But just because it doesn’t hurt does not mean it is okay.

If you miss this period, the damage becomes deeper, and the treatment time, scope, and cost all grow steadily.

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Resin restoration

Fortunately, if it is found at this stage,

it can end with a simple filling treatment: the decayed area is neatly removed and then filled with resin (an aesthetic restorative material).

Resin restoration can often be completed on the same day, and the cost burden is relatively low.

Stage 2 – Dentin damage (inlay / onlay)

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Dentin damage

When decay passes through the enamel and progresses into the dentin, you may start to feel a dull, tingling, sharp pain.

That feeling of “Huh? This is a little uncomfortable” when eating cold foods or hot soup is a typical sign of this stage.

And yet… there are quite a few people who endure it by saying, “It seems to feel a bit better~” and only eating lukewarm foods.

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Inlay

Treatment at this stage goes like this.

The damaged area is removed, the shape of the tooth is taken, and then an inlay (partial restoration) or onlay (restoration covering a wider area) is fabricated,

and firmly bonded in place!

However, if the damaged area is extensive or deep, treatment may be switched to a crown (full restoration).

Stage 3 – Pulp damage (root canal treatment + crown)

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Pulp damage

From here on… it really hurts.

The decay has invaded the pulp, where the nerves and blood vessels are distributed!

The toothache becomes severe, and it becomes hard to eat or even sleep.

At this point, root canal treatment is performed first.

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Root canal treatment

The process involves completely removing the nerve inside the tooth, carefully disinfecting the inside, and then filling it with a filling material.

But that’s not the end.

A tooth without a nerve becomes weak because its internal nutritional supply is cut off, so it can break or fracture even from a small impact.

That is why, at this stage, a “crown restoration” that protects the entire tooth is absolutely necessary.

Stage 4 – Damage to the tooth root and jawbone (implant after extraction)

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Damage to the tooth root and gums

Now we are at the final stage.

The decay has deeply penetrated the tooth root and the jawbone supporting the gums.

So the tooth is loose and there is even pus?

At this point… rather than asking, “Can we save the tooth?” it is time to think, “How should we extract it quickly and replace it?”

Not to mention the pain, even basic daily life such as chewing food becomes difficult.

It is very unfortunate, but at this stage, it is difficult to preserve the natural tooth.

Maggok-dong Dental Clinic_Implant after extraction

So after extracting a tooth that has suffered extensive damage, the empty space is restored with prosthetic treatment such as an implant or a bridge.

[Tooth decay treatment by progression stage] Easy to see~ Easy to understand!

Let’s organize it at a glance.

Tooth decay progression stage	Treatment method
Stage 1: Enamel damage	Resin filling
Stage 2: Dentin damage	Inlay / onlay
Stage 3: Pulp damage	Root canal treatment + crown
Stage 4: Damage to the gums/jawbone	Extraction + implant

Today’s conclusion!

If you keep putting off a small cavity by thinking, “It seems to be a little better…,” before you know it, it can lead all the way to an implant.

Dia Dental Clinic’s conclusion is clear.

✔ Regular checkups are the only way!

If it is discovered at Stage 1, the tooth can be saved, and time, cost, and pain can all be reduced.

If you’re thinking, “Maybe I should get checked at least once?” then now is the perfect timing.

Just 3 minutes on foot from Magok Station! Dia Dental Clinic is always ready for you. ^^

[ This post has been written in accordance with the Medical Service Act for the purpose of providing accurate information about dental surgeries and procedures. Since infection and side effects may occur after surgery, you should decide on surgery (procedure) after sufficient consultation with a skilled medical professional. ]

[ Magok-dong Dia Dental Clinic Tooth Decay Series ]

1. The process of tooth decay developing

2. Symptoms of tooth decay

3. Treatment by stage of tooth decay progression

4. Precautions after tooth decay treatment

5. Tooth decay prevention and care