A cavity is the hole that develops as this protective layer of your tooth breaks down. You might notice it as a dark spot on the tooth. But your dentist can take a closer look to see if the spot is actually a cavity. Tooth decay is one of the most common causes of dark spots on teeth.
Is a dental filling always required to treat a cavity? In short, the answer is no. Dental fillings are used to treat cavities because a dentist tends to want to remove the decayed part (the cavity) and fill it to stop any further damage from occurring.
Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.
Fact: Once a Cavity Starts, There's No Turning BackBut once bacteria and decay get through that enamel, the damage is done. “Once that bacteria gets so far into the tooth that you can't brush it away, it's not going to get better, Harms says. “Cavities don't go away once they start. You have to fix them.”
It can cause greater infections in the mouth, such as gingivitis and gum disease. If left untreated, the cavity will become large, forcing the tooth to decay on a greater scale, and a root canal treatment or tooth extraction may be the only way to resolve the problem.
So if you have a cavity that needs a filling, don't delay treatment. The decay can continue to develop and cause additional damage to a tooth. You can end up needing something much more extensive, not to mention expensive, such as a root canal if you wait too long to have the decay addressed.
You do have options for affordable dental care!
- Community Dental Clinics. Community dental clinics offer provide dental services for a low fee.
- Dental Schools. Dental students need to acquire on-the-job training and experience before they can be licensed.
- Dentists.
- Dental Insurance.
Fillings, while more expensive than basic dental check-ups, both fix cavities and protect your mouth's future health. Most filling treatments hold stable prices in the following ranges: $50 to $150 for a single, silver amalgam filling. $90 to $250 for a single, tooth-colored composite filling.
Pain when biting down isn't a typical side-effect from having a cavity filled. However, it can be caused by the cavity filling. This happens when the filling is too high, giving you an abnormal bite. It can be difficult to determine if the bite is abnormal in the office, because the mouth has been numbed.
Throbbing tooth pain is a sign that you might have tooth damage. Tooth decay or a cavity can give you a toothache. Throbbing tooth pain can also happen if there is an infection in the tooth or in the gums surrounding it. Toothaches are typically caused by an infection or inflammation in the tooth.
Some of these remedies include:
- Oil pulling. Oil pulling originated in an ancient system of alternative medicine called Ayurveda.
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera tooth gel may help to fight off bacteria that cause cavities.
- Avoid phytic acid.
- Vitamin D.
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks.
- Eat licorice root.
- Sugar-free gum.
Signs the Tooth Should SettleA short lasting hypersensitivity reaction to heat, cold and sometimes pressure, which subsides once the stimulus is removed, is normal following a deep filling. This may last for several weeks. A gradual lessening of the severity of the reaction is a sign that the pulp is healing.
About 26 percent of individuals between the ages of 20 and 64 will have at least one unfilled cavity. Many Americans question how long they can leave a cavity untreated. However, an unfilled cavity shouldn't be left untreated very long due to the risk for infections, abscesses, and increased tooth decay pain.
TYPES OF PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR FROM POOR DENTAL FILLINGSThe failure by a dentist to adequately carry out a filling can lead to ongoing tooth aches and pain.
A dental filling is needed if you are in pain or you have an obvious cavity. However, if there is an early sign of decay but no cavity or pain felt, a dental filling is not necessary as the tooth can easily fix itself. Some dentists would recommend six months before treating the tooth decay.
Sensitivity from a tooth filling should go away within two to four weeks. If the sensitivity doesn't seem to be getting any better during that time, or it lasts for longer than four weeks, contact your dentist.
Root canals are performed when bacteria, introduced through a cavity or crack, compromise the nerves located inside the tooth. The bacteria cause an infection, which eventually kills the nerves. But root canals can be avoided, Teitelbaum says, in cases where the nerves are not yet infected.
Fillings will be recommended if the tooth has a smaller cavity or minor tooth decay that hasn't reached the pulp of the tooth. While the goal of a root canal is to prevent further damage to the tissue, a filling is primarily meant to restore the function and appearance of the tooth.
Going under unconscious sedation for a root canal is unnecessary and will only put your body through more distress. For patients dealing with fear, a severe gag reflex, special needs, dementia, or other complications, we recommend and will provide, nitrous oxide analgesia to help you relax.
But signs of infection severe enough to require a root canal include: Serious teeth pain when eating or when you put pressure on the area. Teeth pain and sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the hot or cold stimuli have been removed. A small, pimple-like bump on the gums near the area of teeth pain.
The cost of root canals varies depending on the tooth and whether it is being treated by a general dentist or an endodontist. Molars have more canals that need to be filled, so they are more expensive, and endodontists typically charge more due to their specialty training.
Preparing for a root canal
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco for a full 24 hours before the procedure.
- Eat before the procedure.
- Take a painkiller before the procedure.
- Ask questions.
- Get a full night's sleep before and after.
The time it takes for a cavity to form varies. It can, on average, take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity requires treatment.
Many teeth that need root canal therapy will not cause pain. But that does not mean the tooth is okay. Your dentist and endodontist have ways to see if the tooth's pulp is damaged or infected. If it is, then you will need root canal treatment, even if the tooth doesn't hurt.
Most adult cavities are formed in between the teeth. These are generally called interproximal cavities in dental terms. They occur when bacteria from food sits in between the teeth and if not removed with flossing, the bacteria will slowly start to eat away at the tooth and cause decay, or, a cavity.
"Having a filling can increase the risk of tooth decay in neighbouring teeth," reports The Times. Researchers found evidence that, in some cases, fillings were more of a stop-gap than a cure for tooth decay – and could even actually contribute to the problem.
Without insurance, you'll pay up to $150 for a filling on one or two surfaces of the tooth. Amalgam fillings that cover three or more surfaces of the tooth run from $120 to $300.
On average, you can expect a metal filling to last for about 15 years before needing to be replaced, but the length of time can vary based on several factors, such as if you grind or clench your teeth. Tooth-colored fillings are made from a mixture of fine glass and plastic particles.
That being said, it's completely possible for cavities to occur on front teeth too. And yes, we can still use dental fillings on front teeth! Many dental practices, including Savannah Dental Care, now offer composite fillings that are tooth-colored so they don't look as noticeable as the silver or gold ones.
A dental cavity filling takes about an hour or less to do. If you need several fillings, then your dentist may decide to treat them during multiple visits. After you get the filling, your tooth may feel sore or sensitive for several hours or days.
Fillings are a safe and effective way to treat dental cavities. Most fillings will last many years. Taking good care of teeth with daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental checkups, can help prevent future cavities. Some sensitivity after getting a filling is normal.
