Can Cavities Go Away? 4 Professional Cavity Treatment Options

Dental fillings are the most common treatment for small to medium cavities that haven’t reached the tooth’s pulp. Your dentist removes the decayed portion of your tooth and fills the cleaned area with materials like composite resin, amalgam, or gold. This restoration prevents further decay while restoring your tooth’s shape and function. Modern tooth-colored fillings blend seamlessly with natural teeth, making them virtually invisible. The procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes and provides immediate relief from sensitivity.

What to Expect During a Filling Procedure

1. First, your dentist will numb the area around your affected tooth so you won’t feel any discomfort during the procedure
2. Next, they’ll carefully remove all the decayed tooth material using a drill or sometimes a laser for more precision
3. Once the decay is gone, your dentist cleans and disinfects the cavity to make sure no bacteria remain
4. If your cavity is deep, they might place a protective liner to shield the nerve from temperature changes
5. Then comes the filling material, which your dentist places in thin layers and carefully shapes to match your natural tooth
6. A special blue curing light hardens each layer of filling material in just seconds
7. Finally, your dentist checks your bite and makes small adjustments until everything feels just right

Dental crowns become necessary when a cavity is too large for a filling, but the tooth can still be saved. A crown is essentially a cap that covers your entire tooth above the gum line, protecting weakened tooth structure from further damage. Your dentist shapes the remaining tooth to create space for the crown, which is custom-made to match your other teeth. Crowns can be made from porcelain, metal, or a combination of materials. This treatment option restores both the appearance and full chewing function of severely damaged teeth.

The Crown Placement Process

1. Your visit starts with X-rays to check if your tooth’s roots and surrounding bone are healthy enough for a crown
2. After numbing the area, your dentist carefully files down your tooth to create the perfect amount of space for your new crown
3. They’ll take an impression or digital scan that captures every detail of your prepared tooth
4. You’ll leave with a temporary crown protecting your tooth while the dental lab crafts your permanent one
5. About two weeks later, you’ll return for your second appointment, where the temporary crown comes off
6. Once you’re happy with how it looks and feels, they’ll cement the crown permanently in place

Root canal treatment saves teeth when cavities reach the pulp chamber, causing infection or severe pain. During this procedure, your dentist or endodontist removes infected pulp tissue, cleans the root canals, and seals them to prevent reinfection. Despite its reputation, modern root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The procedure eliminates pain caused by infection while allowing you to keep your natural tooth. Most teeth need a crown after root canal treatment for added protection and strength.

Your Root Canal Experience

1. Everything begins with X-rays that show your dentist exactly how far the infection has spread and the shape of your root canals
2. You’ll receive local anesthetic to ensure you’re completely comfortable throughout the procedure
3. Your dentist places a rubber dam around your tooth, which keeps it dry and protected during treatment
4. They create a small access hole through the top of your tooth to reach the infected area
5. Using specialized files, your dentist carefully removes all the infected pulp and nerve tissue from inside your tooth
6. The empty root canals get thoroughly cleaned, shaped, and disinfected to eliminate any lingering bacteria
7. Your dentist fills the clean canals with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha that seals them completely
8. A temporary filling closes the access hole and protects your tooth until your next visit
9. You’ll return in a few weeks for either a permanent filling or, more commonly, a crown to strengthen your treated tooth

Tooth extraction becomes the last resort when a cavity has destroyed too much tooth structure to save. Severely decayed teeth that can’t support a filling or crown, or those with infections that don’t respond to root canals, require removal. Your dentist will discuss replacement options like implants, bridges, or dentures to prevent neighboring teeth from shifting. While losing a tooth isn’t ideal, extraction eliminates pain and stops infection from spreading to other teeth or throughout your body.

The Extraction Process

1. Your dentist starts by taking X-rays to see your tooth’s root structure and plan the safest removal approach
2. They’ll review your medical history, especially checking for any medications that might affect bleeding
3. You’ll receive a thorough numbing with local anesthetic around the tooth
4. Your dentist gently loosens your tooth using specialized instruments designed to preserve the surrounding bone
5. Using controlled pressure with forceps, they carefully remove the tooth from its socket
6. They’ll clean the socket thoroughly, removing any debris or infected tissue that could slow healing
7. Gauze is placed over the extraction site, and you’ll bite down to help stop bleeding and form a protective blood clot
8. Before you leave, you’ll receive detailed care instructions and possibly prescriptions for pain relief and antibiotics
9. If needed, they’ll discuss tooth replacement options to restore your smile and prevent other teeth from shifting

Ignoring a cavity allows decay to spread deeper into your tooth, eventually reaching the nerve-rich pulp chamber. This progression triggers intense, throbbing pain that often worsens at night or when lying down. The pain may start as occasional tooth sensitivity but quickly escalates to constant agony that over-the-counter painkillers can’t control. Hot or cold foods become unbearable, and even breathing cold air can send shooting pains through your jaw. This severe discomfort significantly impacts your quality of life, making it difficult to eat, sleep, or concentrate on daily activities.

An untreated cavity can lead to a tooth abscess, a pocket of pus caused by bacterial infection at the tooth’s root. This serious condition causes severe, persistent pain that radiates to your jawbone, neck, or ear. You might notice facial swelling, fever, and a foul taste in your mouth from draining pus. Abscesses don’t heal on their own and can spread infection to your jaw, surrounding teeth, and even throughout your body. In rare cases, dental abscesses can lead to life-threatening complications like brain abscesses or blood infections.

When cavities remain untreated for months or years, they destroy so much tooth structure that the tooth becomes unsalvageable. The decay weakens your tooth until it breaks apart during normal activities like eating. Sometimes the tooth becomes so loose from infection that it falls out on its own. Losing teeth affects more than just your smile; it makes chewing difficult, causes remaining teeth to shift position, and can lead to jawbone deterioration.