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Cavities are everyone’s most dreaded dental problems—these go as far back as childhood. When you’re young and sitting in a cold chair in a white room, a masked dentist can be rather intimidating.
Certain dental procedures are more intimidating than others. The removal of decayed teeth with the drill, for one, is something that no one looks forward to. If you’ve ever had a cavity, chances are that you remember the high-pitched buzzing of the machine very clearly. Fortunately, modern technology has made cavity removal much easier than it was before. In fact, some dentists don’t even use drills!
How can bacteria progress to cavities?
Cavities are caused by a build-up of bacteria thriving inside your mouth and producing acid as a byproduct of their metabolic processes. In essence, the acid destroys your teeth’s enamel and causes them to decay.
Most people see bacteria as bad for the body, but we need these microbes to maintain healthy bodily functions. This is particularly true when it comes to gut health. However, bacterial growth is a variable component that can rapidly increase into uncontrollable numbers.
When that happens, harmful bacteria might grow into substantial numbers that can be disease-promoting. Because of that, dentists recommend practicing excellent oral health to restrict bacterial growth to a manageable level. Otherwise, bacteria can grow into biofilm colonies that can be the cause of inflammation, gum disease, and stinky breath.
Why was the development of a new technique needed?
Wondering how cavity removal has changed over the years? The newest dental procedure is called the Hall Technique, and truthfully, it isn’t too new because it was pioneered in Scotland almost twenty years ago! It’s capable of successfully treating cavities without the need for local anesthesia and high-seed drilling tools. Its birth was primarily due to massive demand in finding a solution that will treat cavities in a way that doesn’t scare children, so they grow to become adults without fear of sitting in a dentist’s chair.
Gone were the days where you’re injected with syringes to administer anesthesia. Plastic or composite material is no longer used to seal the hollow part removed by the decaying cavity. The best part is that there are no high-speed drills to bring back that childhood trauma. With so much less to be afraid of, parents can bring their little ones to dentists without worrying that they will carry their aversion to dentists into adulthood.
How is the Hall Technique better than traditional methods?
Dentists in the past didn’t embrace the technique when it first came out. However, the lack of funds and modern dentistry in low-income countries prompted the early trials of the Hall Technique, particularly in Sudan. After successful trials, dental professionals marveled at how fast and non-invasive the novel techniques. The experiment lasted for two years and tested over 164 children who are between the ages of five and eight.
The dental team on Sudan said that the Hall Technique costs 33 percent less than the anesthesia and high-speed drill method. Additionally, dentists can finish in under eight minutes. Compare that to the 45-minute time frame for the traditional process, and you’ll agree the Hall Technique is a landslide winner.
Aside from the absence of anesthesia and high-speed drills, the dentists note lesser chances of mistake, better patient experience, and avoided tooth structure compromises with a 97 percent success rate.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that dental care has evolved tremendously over the years. Now that it’s changed up the most basic of procedures—cavity removal—you can rest at ease, knowing a visit won’t be nearly as scary as you imagined. Of course, that isn’t an excuse to slack off on your daily dental hygiene practices!
If you’re looking for an affordable dentist to perform the Hall Technique for you or your children’s teeth in Ann Arbor and Waterford MI, check us out to learn more about how we can help you preserve your smiles.
