The Dental caries process is a small patch of softened enamel at the tooth surface, often hidden from sight in the grooves of teeth or in between the teeth. The destruction spreads into the softer, sensitive part of the tooth beneath the enamel (dentine). The weakened enamel then collapses to form a cavity and the tooth is progressively destroyed. Caries can also attack the roots of teeth should they become exposed by gum re-cession. Dental caries is caused by the action of acids on the enamel surface.The acid produced leads to a loss of calcium and phosphate from the enamel; this process is called demineralisation.When demineralisation occurs frequently and exceeds over many months, there is a breakdown of the enamel surface leading to a cavity. The main treatment option for a tooth cavity is to drill out the decay and put in a filling (restoration) made from various materials (e.g., composite resins, amalgam, GI filling, Lutting etc.).Extensive tooth decay may necessitate a crown, root canal treatment.

Tooth cleaning isn’t just about appearances. It’s the primary means of preventing and treating periodontal (gum) disease. Dental plaque (a naturally occurring bacterial biofilm) and stains build up on tooth surfaces. Dental calculus (also called tartar), a harder deposit, can then form both above and below the gum line. A thorough dental cleaning re-moves these substances from the teeth. Tooth cleaning is usually accomplished by the nonsurgical technique of scaling, electromagnetic forces in the unit’s hand held “wand” cause its tiny tip to vibrate rapidly. These vibrations, which occur at a rate faster than the speed of sound, effectively blast away plaque, calculus and stains from the tooth surfaces.