During your routine dental cleanings, your dentist will carefully check your teeth and gums for the early signs of decay. Since tooth decay can become fairly advanced before it is noticeable to the patient, it is important to catch cavities as early as possible. A dentist that specializes in orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry near Barrington will also be able to provide you with tooth decay treatments. When you take the time to visit your dentist regularly, you can help prevent the advancement of tooth and gum disease. Here is an overview of some of the ways in which your dentist can treat your tooth decay. 
Early Treatment Options
When tooth decay is in its earliest stages, the problem can often be solved with non-invasive procedures. If your dentist has located a very small patch of decay that is located only in the surface of the enamel, he may recommend that you brush with a special toothpaste to help stop the decay from spreading. At this stage of tooth decay, you will typically not need a filling.
Middle Stage Treatment Options
If tooth decay is not addressed when it is still confined to the enamel, it will start to spread to the inner layers of the tooth. Decay in the dentin, which is the pulpy center of the tooth, must be repaired with a dental filling. Your dentist will carefully drill away the decayed area and fill it in using silver or a tooth-colored composite material. Once your filling is in place, you will be able to talk, eat, and chew normally.
Advanced Treatment Options
Tooth decay that is left untreated for several months or years could create a dangerous abscess in a patient’s mouth. When a decayed tooth starts to abscess, the patient could develop a life-threating infection. To treat this advanced stage of tooth decay, your dentist may need to perform a root canal or a tooth extraction. A root canal will allow your dentist to completely remove and repair the decaying section of the tooth.
