Over the last several years, we’ve seen more and more of what we call wrap around decay or wrap around cavities. This is a term that’s very common in our office, but one that patients might not be familiar with. To educate patients and help them take ownership of their dental health, we thought it would be prudent to share more about these cavities – what they are, what causes them and how to treat them.

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What are wrap around cavities?

Wrap around cavities are a type of cavity that covers the tooth’s surface. While a typical cavity is a pinpoint, wrap around cavities start near the gumline and continue between the teeth and sometimes to the back of the teeth. They are called wrap around cavities because they cover so much of the tooth structure and wrap around the tooth from front to back. Oftentimes, these present as discoloration to the tooth and then get worse over time.

What causes wrap around decay?

There are a few things that cause wrap around decay.

1. A sugary diet and poor oral hygiene.One of the most common causes of wrap around decay is a diet high in sugar and acid paired with poor oral hygiene. Energy drinks, for instance, are a common beverage that people with wrap around cavities drink. That is because the sugar and carbonation in the drink can eat away at the tooth’s enamel and get between the teeth in ways food cannot.
2. Orthodontics treatment and poor oral hygiene.This type of tooth decay is very common in young people going through orthodontic treatment. For individuals with traditional wire and bracket orthodontics, poor hygiene can cause these cavities to form. And for those undergoing Invisalign treatment, eating and drinking with the trays in place can create an environment where bacteria thrive.
3. Vaping.Vaping is another cause of wrap-around decay that has become more common over the last several years. The aerosolized e-liquid in vapes is sticky and tends to have artificial sweeteners and flavors that promote bacteria and cavities. Many who vape also do so continuously through the day which increases the exposure of teeth to the harmful ingredients.
4. Methamphetamine use.Use of methamphetamines has been associated with severe tooth decay and gum disease. The combination of the acidity of methamphetamine, and psychological and physiological changes it causes, results in extensive decay that many times results in non-restorable teeth. If you or someone you love are struggling with meth addiction, please reach out and seek help.

How do you treat wrap around decay?

Treating wrap around decay is two-fold. It requires the dentist restore the tooth’s enamel, and the patient to change their diet and oral hygiene habits. Traditionally, restoration required a crown. For a 15-year-old patient who has wrap around cavities from drinking energy drinks, this news can be crushing. Crowns typically need to be replaced after 10 years, and eventually an implant may be needed.

In our office, we treat wrap around cavities with Bioclear which is a conservative approach to tooth restoration. Using Bioclear, we clean up the decay and restore the tooth to a healthy state without removing any of the tooth’s natural enamel. It’s a wonderful option because it requires little preparation and can be more easily maintained than a crown. If a Bioclear restoration chips, it can be repaired in the same way we placed the first restoration.

Once the tooth is restored, it’s up to the patient to reduce the risk factors causing decay. Most of the time we can keep these cavities from coming back if the patient improves their oral hygiene and limits the amount of sugar and acid in their diet. Following treatment, we want to put the patient on a regular hygiene schedule so we can keep an eye on the tooth. The goal is to go three years without a new lesion. Then we know that the bacteria in the mouth has changed and the risk has been managed.

It’s important to note that if left untreated, wrap around decay can cause root and nerve damage and the patient may lose the tooth entirely.

Do you get anxious about going to the dentist office?

If you’ve noticed discoloration on your teeth that you think may be wrap around decay, please call our office at (813) 689-4226 to schedule a dentist appointment online. We can assess the damage to the tooth and come up with a treatment plan that works for you.