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How Are Cavities Treated? continued... If the decay causes the nerve or pulp of the tooth to die, a root canal will be performed. During the procedure, the center of the tooth (including the nerve, blood vessel, and tissue) is removed along with the decayed portions of the tooth. The roots are then filled with a sealing material. If necessary, a crown can be placed over the filled tooth. Several new treatments are under development. One experimental technique uses fluorescent light to detect the development of cavities long before they can be detected by traditional means, such as x-rays or dental examination. In many cases, if cavities can be detected early, the decay process can be stopped or reversed. Researchers are also working on a "smart filling" to prevent further tooth decay by slowly releasing fluoride over time around fillings and in adjacent teeth. Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Dentistry. VitaDocs Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic Edited by Brunilda Nazario, MD on May 01, 2005 'Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2005
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