A hole or structural damage to the teeth is called cavities. Alternative name for the cavities is tooth decay. Tooth decay is the most common dental disorder. Tooth decay is found mostly in children and young adults. But it can also affect persons of any age at any time. Different bacteria are normally present in the mouth. All foods especially sugar and starch gets converted into acids by these bacteria. Bacteria, acids, food debris, and saliva are the four ingredients which combine in the mouth and change into a sticky substance called Plaque. This process mostly takes place at the back teeth above the gum lines and at the edges of the fillings. If this sticky substance is not removed from teeth on time it changes into tartar. This plaque create hole in the tooth by dissolving the enamel surface of the teeth. In start cavities are usually painless. But when they grow in size and effect nerve with the passage of time then these cavities are painful. The symptoms of the tooth decay include toothache after taking sweet, hot or cold foods or drink. Visible pits and holes on the surface of the teeth are other symptoms. Cavities in the teeth can be diagnosed at early stage during routine treatment. Pain of the cavities is not felt until it reaches the advance stage. Treatments for cavities are filling, crowns, root canal.

In filling the dentist removes the decay tooth material from the infected teeth and fills the space with the silver alloy, gold, porcelain or composite resin. Mostly dentists prefer porcelain and composite resin as they match with the natural tooth appearance. These materials are often used for the filling of back teeth. Crown is used when there is extensive tooth decay but cavity is limited. Extensive decay and limited cavity weekend the teeth and increase the risk of the tooth breaking. In crown treatment the damage part is removed and repaired and crown is fixed to the remainder. Root canal is carried out when the cavity damage the nerves of the teeth. In root canal the center of the teeth and the pulp is removed. Damage portion of the root is also removed. Then roots are filled with some sealing material. After that the tooth is filled and crown is fixed if needed.