Protect Your Oral Health with Tooth Decay Treatment at Downtown Dental
Tooth decay is one of the most common conditions treated in our Los Angeles, California, office. Unfortunately, tooth decay progresses over time and can cause tooth loss without proper treatment.
Downtown Dental offers several treatments for tooth decay. Drs. Don Mungcal and Alyssa Hanel can treat decay with fillings, inlays, onlays, or dental crowns, depending on the extent of damage. Don’t wait for tooth decay to progress. Visit our office today for treatment.
How does tooth decay occur?
Dental plaque is a colorless, sticky film that builds up on your teeth. Plaque forms when saliva mixes with food debris, creating a film that attracts harmful bacteria. Harmful bacteria secrete acids that gradually break down your tooth, causing decay.
If decay forms on your tooth, it must be treated immediately. Otherwise, it advances, reaching the living tissues at the tooth’s center (pulp). Without root canal treatment, your decayed tooth may need extraction.
How is tooth decay treated?
Downtown Dental has numerous treatment options for tooth decay, whether minor or severe. These options include:
- Tooth fillings: A filling is enough to repair your tooth for very early decay. A tooth filling addresses the damage and prevents it from progressing. Repairing tooth decay with a filling is minimally invasive and requires a single visit. After removing the damaged portions, the dentist fills the tooth with composite material. Then, the material is hardened with a special light to create a durable restoration.
- Dental inlay or onlay: These restorations are the middle ground between fillings and crowns. The dentist recommends an inlay or onlay when the damage is too pronounced for a filling but not enough for a crown. Dental onlays and onlays repair significant damage while preserving the healthy structure.
- Dental crowns: A dental crown provides full coverage to your tooth, enhancing structural integrity for a severely decayed tooth. Dental crowns require removing and reshaping the enamel from all sides of the tooth. This forms a sturdy foundation to attach your crown. Once your tooth is crowned, you’ll smile confidently and eat your favorite foods without pain or sensitivity.
- Root canal treatment: When harmful bacteria infiltrate the pulp chamber, you’ll need a root canal to remove the infected tissues before restoring the tooth. Our dentist uses gentle instrumentation and pain management techniques to provide safe and painless root canals.
While we try everything possible to save your tooth, a dental extraction may be necessary for irreparably decayed teeth. Our dental extractions are carefully planned to resolve immediate pain while preserving the bone for future teeth replacements.
How can I prevent tooth decay?
No one likes tooth decay, so preventing it before it forms is best. Observe the following tips to maintain a healthy, decay-free smile.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth
- Floss your teeth at least once daily
- Eat a dental-friendly diet and limit the intake of sugary foods and drinks
- Visit the dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups
- Bolster your preventive dental care with dental sealants and fluoride treatments
Do you need tooth decay treatment in Los Angeles, California?
Don’t let tooth decay compromise your smile! Schedule an appointment today with Downtown Dental for expert, pain-free treatment. Call our office at 213-863-9464 and reserve a consultation with Dr. Mungcal and the team.
Dr. Don Mungcal
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Dr. Don Mungcal, a distinguished dentist in Los Angeles, combines over three decades of experience with a deep commitment to patient care. A UCLA graduate, he earned his dental degree with honors from the University of the Pacific Dental School in 1990. Dr. Mungcal has been recognized as a Best Dentist in Downtown by the “Los Angeles Downtown News” for four years in a row and served as an instructor at USC Dental School. As an active member of the California Dental Society, among other prestigious organizations, he continually updates his expertise through extensive continuing education.
