This translation is provided for preliminary information only. At the practice, discussions about caries diagnostics or sites prone to tooth decay are held exclusively in German. If you do not speak sufficient German, a professional interpreter must accompany you in person at the practice. Online translators and telephone interpreters are not accepted.
We have prepared these translations to the best of our knowledge and in good faith using several translation programs. We apologise if any translation errors nevertheless remain.
Help finding an interpreter: on request we can give you contact details of professional interpreters – please call in good time before your appointment. Practice staff do not interpret.
Where tooth decay develops
Tooth decay develops where teeth are not clean and biofilm (formerly called plaque) can accumulate. Typical sites include deeply grooved chewing surfaces, contact points between teeth, crowded upper front teeth and sheltered areas around orthodontic brackets. These areas cannot be completely cleaned with a normal toothbrush.
Decay on chewing surfaces
Bacteria exploit the deep, unsealed grooves of the chewing surface. They enter the tooth through fissures and destroy it from the inside out, initially unnoticed and usually beyond the reach of a toothbrush.
Clinical photographs
01Before: the extensive damage is barely visible
02During: after opening the chewing surface
03After: the full extent becomes clear
This example shows the actual damage in an unsealed permanent molar (36). The initial appearance (left) hides the deep damage. Opening the chewing surface (centre) reveals its full extent (right).
Decay between teeth
Bacteria exploit the hard-to-clean contact area between two teeth. Damage starts in one tooth but often affects its neighbour too, like two neighbouring apples in a fruit bowl. Early progression is hard to see because the surface over the defect remains intact for a long time and appears healthy. The defect becomes visible only when this “roof” collapses because the hollow tooth can no longer support it.
Clinical photographs
01Apparently healthy contact surface
02Early defect
03The “roof” collapses
04Visible defect
Front-tooth decay (ECC: early childhood caries, “baby-bottle tooth decay”)
This type of decay is caused by sugary drinks from narrow-spout containers, such as feeding bottles, training cups or sports bottles. Drinking from these containers or through straws bathes and damages mainly the upper front teeth. The more frequently and longer a child drinks sugary liquids this way, the greater the risk. Children who constantly suck a bottle may have harmful drinks in their mouths for around eight hours a day.
Clinical photographs
The pictures illustrate stages of front-tooth decay. Slight whitish discolouration (“white spots”) marks the early stage. Damage increases towards the final stage: some teeth have decayed to gum level, may be inflamed and have exposed nerves.
The extensive treatment then required demands considerable skill and years of dental experience.
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Medical note: The medical information / images on this page must not be regarded as a substitute for advice and/or treatment from a registered dentist. Nor should you use this information / these images to make your own diagnoses or to start or stop treatment!