Tooth decay explorer
See inside a tooth: how a cavity grows from a white spot to the nerve, and how each stage is treated.
This is an educational illustration, not a medical diagnosis or a guarantee of any result or treatment time. Results differ from patient to patient — please consult a dentist.
How tooth decay develops
Bacteria in plaque turn sugar into acid that dissolves enamel. Caught early, a white spot can be reversed; later it needs a filling, and if it reaches the nerve, root canal treatment.
The cross-section is an illustration of a molar, not your tooth.