“Do all cavities need to be filled?”
I am a 27 year old male. I want to know if all cavities need to be filled?
2 Answers
Dear Reader,
When most people hear the word "cavity," they think of a hole in a tooth. In actuality, a cavity is the result of a bacterial infection called caries, that breakdown and damage the tooth. Unfortunately, like all infections, if left untreated, the condition will worsen as more healthy tooth structure is infected and damaged. Unlike other infections, they can't be treated with antibiotics. Instead, the treatment of choice is surgical intervention: a filling, where the caries are removed and a restoration (silver amalgam, tooth colored composite resin, ceramic or gold) is placed. So, yes, you should get a cavity filled. Of course, you should check with a/your dentist to determine the extent of the cavity and the most conservative way to restore (fix) the tooth.
Hope this help,
Steven Chamish, DDS
When most people hear the word "cavity," they think of a hole in a tooth. In actuality, a cavity is the result of a bacterial infection called caries, that breakdown and damage the tooth. Unfortunately, like all infections, if left untreated, the condition will worsen as more healthy tooth structure is infected and damaged. Unlike other infections, they can't be treated with antibiotics. Instead, the treatment of choice is surgical intervention: a filling, where the caries are removed and a restoration (silver amalgam, tooth colored composite resin, ceramic or gold) is placed. So, yes, you should get a cavity filled. Of course, you should check with a/your dentist to determine the extent of the cavity and the most conservative way to restore (fix) the tooth.
Hope this help,
Steven Chamish, DDS
Only if you want to keep the tooth
