Dentist Questions Dentist

Do cavities need to be filled immediately?

I am a 25 year old female. I want to know if cavities need to be filled immediately?

7 Answers

As soon as possible as the cavities get larger and spred to the next teeth.
A cavity, i.e a 'hole 'in a tooth if there isn't an active decay process, does not have to be filled immediately.
Cavities range in depth and width. It has several factors playing a role in a doctor's decision to get it filled. The tooth also has basically 3 layers: outer enamel, core dentin, and inner pulp (nerve). If the cavity is shallow and in the enamel layer only, given you have low tendency to develop cavities, the doctor may choose to give you some oral hygiene instructions and some specific products for your needs to try and stop that cavity from getting bigger. However, if the cavity has reached the junction with the dentin core, then it's beyond what you can do to stop it so in this case, YES, it has to be filled immediately. I strongly suggest a consult with a professional with some radiographs (X-rays) to confirm the urgency of treatment.
It depends on how deep the cavity is. If the cavity is deep and you are already noticing sensitivity on this tooth, you may need to take care of that tooth very quickly, or you may need a root canal or extraction. If the cavity is small, taking care of it in the next few weeks or months is appropriate.
Yes, the longer you wait, the deeper they grow and more expensive they get. 

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Rev. Dr. Laurentis Barnett
As soon as possible. They progress differently for everyone, it depends how strong your teeth are. In some patients, they are aggressive...
As soon as possible is the best answer, but it also depends on how deep the cavity is when it is discovered.