Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Recognize the symptoms of a cavity. Tooth sensitivity or pain, discoloration and bad breath are all signs that you may have a tooth decay problem.
Step2
Visit a dentist for a proper examination. You can find a qualified dentist via a service such as 1-800-DENTIST (see Resources below).
Step3
Have your teeth evaluated by a laser cavity detector. This technology uses laser light to identify tooth decay with far greater efficacy than the traditional pick method. Laser cavity detectors can identify even the smallest patches of tooth decay when only a fluoride treatment may be needed to correct it.
Step4
Choose a laser instead of a traditional drill to remove tooth decay that requires a filling. Lasers can be used to vaporize tooth decay and prepare enamel for the filling.
Step5
Expect your dentist not to provide anesthesia when using a laser instead of a drill because lasers are typically painless.
Step6
Recognize that not all cavities can be treated with a laser. Dentists cannot use a laser to treat large cavities that require a crown, cavities in teeth that already have a filling and cavities between teeth.