Severe Tooth Decay
Severe dental caries is the progressive bacterial destruction of tooth hard tissue, advancing from enamel demineralisation through dentine and into the pulp chamber. At advanced stages, the entire clinical crown may be compromised and periapical infection indicates that surrounding bone has become involved in the pathological process.
What Happens When Decay Reaches the Pulp
The transition from simple cavity to severe decay is rarely sudden, but its consequences are profound. Once bacteria breach the enamel-dentine junction and penetrate toward the pulp, patients experience progressively worsening spontaneous pain, abscess formation, and localised swelling. If the infection spreads to the periapical region, the bone supporting the tooth resorbs, complicating adjacent teeth and making future implant placement more complex. Delay at this stage does not preserve options; it eliminates them.
Vellum Select's Istanbul clinics provide full structural rehabilitation of severely decayed teeth, from root canal therapy through to precision zirconium crown placement, with the complete treatment sequence delivered within seven to ten days at costs 60 to 70 per cent below comparable private dental pricing in the UK or Germany.
Treatment Options for Severe Tooth Decay
View All ProceduresFull Mouth Restoration in Turkey
Full mouth restoration (also called full mouth rehabilitation or reconstruction) is a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses every tooth in both the upper and lower arches. It is not a single procedure but a coordinated sequence of treatments (implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, bone grafting, and bite reconstruction) designed to restore complete dental function, aesthetics, and structural integrity.
arrow_forwardZirconium Crowns in Turkey
Zirconium (zirconia) crowns have become the preferred material for dental restorations worldwide, replacing older porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns that can develop dark lines at the gum margin and contain metal substructures. Zirconia offers the strength of metal with the aesthetics of ceramic, all without any metal component.
arrow_forwardSymptoms of Severe Tooth Decay
Early caries produces no symptoms, which is why patients frequently present late. As decay penetrates into dentine, thermal sensitivity to cold or hot foods develops. When the pulp becomes involved, pain turns spontaneous, throbbing, and persistent; the affected tooth becomes highly sensitive to percussion. Gum swelling, a visible fistula, or facial swelling indicate abscess formation and signal that treatment can no longer be deferred without risk of systemic spread.
Diagnostic Pathways
Bitewing and periapical radiographs reveal the depth of carious lesions and the degree of bone resorption around the root apex. Clinical examination with a dental explorer and transillumination identifies secondary and tertiary caries not visible on X-ray. Pulp vitality testing differentiates reversible from irreversible pulpitis and necrosis, establishing whether root canal therapy is required before coronal reconstruction can proceed.
Advanced Treatment Options at Vellum Select
Vellum Select's approach integrates endodontic treatment where necessary with definitive crown restoration, delivering a long-term functional and aesthetic outcome within a single visit sequence.
Zirconium Crowns
Following root canal therapy, or where sufficient tooth structure remains, a precision-milled zirconium crown rebuilds the complete coronal anatomy. Zirconium's compressive strength and colour stability make it the preferred material for posterior teeth under high occlusal load. Learn more about Zirconium Crowns in Turkey.
Full Mouth Restoration
Where multiple teeth are simultaneously affected by severe caries, a full-mouth rehabilitation plan restores all compromised teeth in a coordinated sequence, addressing both function and aesthetics in a single treatment programme. Learn more about Full Mouth Restoration in Turkey.
