Reversing tooth decay and capping?

What exactly is reversing tooth decay? I heard that their are fluoride treatments at the dentist office that can reverse minor decay, but what is considered minor?





I won't lie, my teeth do have some decay to them due to the fact I ate a whole bunch of crap when I was a teenage and didn't care about it, but I wouldn't say they were "really" bad, there okay.





Any capping, what is this exactly, can you make caps to go over the decay on the teeth?





Thank you!

Reversing tooth decay and capping?
The tooth has several layers. The outer layer is enamel, the middle layer is dentin and the internal section is the pulp where the nerve is located. Reversible decay only extends into the enamel layer and has not yet reached dentin. Once reaching dentin it spreads and requires more significant treatment. If the decay reaches the pulp this leads the indication of a root canal (which cleans the damaged nerve out the pulp chamber).





If decay is visible on a radiograph only in enamel, flouride treatment and increased oral hygiene can reverse the decay, but not necessarily all the time. Its a bacterial tug of war--ridding the bacteria with oral hygiene and remineralizing the tooth with flouride will definetely put the odds in your favor. The fluoride is incorporated into the enamel which is amazingly is a bit stronger than typical/original enamel chrystals. The fluoridate chrystals are better at resisting further decay.





As far as fluoride treatment goes there are several options. There is over the counter fluoride rinses (ACT) and of course most toothpastes. There are much higher strength fluorides available by perscription from a dentist including high strength rinses and toothpastes. There is also fluoride treatment in a foam that you probably? had when you were a child or your children should recieve now.





Regarding your question on capping I'm not really sure what you mean. If you are refering to a crown for your tooth this is only done if the decay is severe and the tooth doesn't have the strength to withstand biting forces as a result of the decay removal. It wouldn't be indicated for minor decay.





My suggestion is to ask your dentist for a perscription of high fluoride toothpaste (Prevadent) and use it frequently (2+ times a day). You can kill two birds with one stone--increased oral hygiene and increased fluoride. Not only will this reverse current decay but it will prevent future decay at other locations.





Good Luck.
Reply:Whether or not you can successfully reverse decay, I would not get a cap done on a tooth without physically removing all remnants of decay, even if it had been "reversed." Call me old fashioned, but I wouldn't spend good money on a cap without knowing for SURE what the long-term prognosis for the tooth was. And I'm a dentist.