- A disorder characterized by the decay of a tooth, in which it becomes softened, discolored and/or porous.
- Localized destruction of calcified tissue initiated on the tooth surface by decalcification of the enamel of the teeth, followed by enzymatic lysis of organic structures, leading to cavity formation that, if left untreated penetrates the enamel and dentin and may reach the pulp.
- Localized destruction of the tooth surface initiated by decalcification of the enamel followed by enzymatic lysis of organic structures and leading to cavity formation. If left unchecked, the cavity may penetrate the enamel and dentin and reach the pulp. The three most prominent theories used to explain the etiology of the disease are that acids produced by bacteria lead to decalcification; that micro-organisms destroy the enamel protein; or that keratolytic micro-organisms produce chelates that lead to decalcification.
- The decay of a tooth, in which it becomes softened, discolored, and/or porous.
- You call it a cavity. Your dentist calls it tooth decay or dental caries. They're all names for a hole in your tooth. The cause of tooth decay is plaque, a sticky substance in your mouth made up mostly of germs. Tooth decay starts in the outer layer, called the enamel. Without a filling, the decay can get deep into the tooth and its nerves and cause a toothache or abscess. To help prevent cavities
- brush your teeth every day with a fluoride toothpaste
- clean between your teeth every day with floss or another type of between-the-teeth cleaner
- snack smart - limit sugary snacks
- see your dentist or oral health professional regularly
521 Diseases of hard tissues of teeth 
521.0 Dental caries 
521.00 Unspecified dental caries convert 521.00 to ICD-10-CM- 521.01 Dental caries limited to enamel convert 521.01 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.02 Dental caries extending into dentine convert 521.02 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.03 Dental caries extending into pulp convert 521.03 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.04 Arrested dental caries convert 521.04 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.05 Odontoclasia convert 521.05 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.06 Dental caries pit and fissure convert 521.06 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.07 Dental caries of smooth surface convert 521.07 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.08 Dental caries of root surface convert 521.08 to ICD-10-CM
521.09 Other dental caries convert 521.09 to ICD-10-CM- 521.1 Excessive attrition (approximal wear)(occlusal wear)
- 521.10 "excessive attrition, unspecified" convert 521.10 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.11 "excessive attrition, limited to enamel" convert 521.11 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.12 "excessive attrition, extending into dentine" convert 521.12 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.13 "excessive attrition, extending into pulp" convert 521.13 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.14 "excessive attrition, localized" convert 521.14 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.15 "excessive attrition, generalized" convert 521.15 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.2 Abrasion of teeth
- 521.20 "abrasion, unspecified" convert 521.20 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.21 "abrasion, limited to enamel" convert 521.21 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.22 "abrasion, extending into dentine" convert 521.22 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.23 "abrasion, extending into pulp" convert 521.23 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.24 "abrasion, localized" convert 521.24 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.25 "abrasion, generalized" convert 521.25 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.3 Erosion of teeth
- 521.30 "erosion, unspecified" convert 521.30 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.31 "erosion, limited to enamel" convert 521.31 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.32 "erosion, extending into dentine" convert 521.32 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.33 "erosion, extending into pulp" convert 521.33 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.34 "erosion, localized" convert 521.34 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.35 "erosion, generalized" convert 521.35 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.4 Pathological tooth resorption
- 521.40 "pathological resorption, unspecified" convert 521.40 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.41 "pathological resorption, internal" convert 521.41 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.42 "pathological resorption, external" convert 521.42 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.49 Other pathological resorption convert 521.49 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.5 Hypercementosis convert 521.5 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.6 Ankylosis of teeth convert 521.6 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.7 Intrinsic posteruptive color changes of teeth convert 521.7 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.8 Other specified diseases of hard tissues of teeth
- 521.81 Cracked tooth convert 521.81 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.89 Other specific diseases of hard tissues of teeth convert 521.89 to ICD-10-CM
- 521.9 Unspecified disease of hard tissues of teeth convert 521.9 to ICD-10-CM
