Acids produced by the bacteria during the remaining debris breakdown process will start to demineralise the enamel of the tooth. The process initializes from the surface and destroys the softer dentin. It is difficult to visually identify during the early stage, because the white discoloration will only occur on the enamel. Only a careful examination will be able to find it. At a later stage patients might also identify a black spot or a hole in their tooth. In this case, the patient should consult the dentist, because with immediate treatment, the tooth can be saved with a simple filling or with an in-lay. If the tooth reacts with pain then the problem might only be solved by root canal treatment.
The treatment begins with local anaesthesia. After the injection the dentist cleans the tooth of unnecessary decayed parts. Following this, we etch the surface for 1 minute, and then apply an adhesive layer. We used to build the filling up in layers. We shape the surface with a bur and next, we polish it. We only make tooth-coloured restorations in Royal Dentistry, so the colour will match to the enamel, making it similar to the tooth.
Hot-cold sensitivity may come forward after the procedure, but this should gradually disappear within a few weeks. Premature contact can occur chewing sensitivity when the restoration is too high and it overloads the tooth. This can be adjusted by a dentist.