Dentists fix cavities by removing the decayed part of the tooth and filling it with a material called a filling. Fillings can be made of a variety of materials, including composite resin, amalgam, gold, or porcelain.
Steps for filling a cavity
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- Numb the area with a local anesthetic
- Remove the decayed tissue with a drill or laser
- Clean out the cavity of any remaining bacteria or debris
- Fill the cavity with the chosen material
- Harden the filling with a dental curing light
- Finish and polish the filling
The best way to prevent cavities is to practice good oral hygiene and use fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.
Diagnosis
Your dentist usually can detect tooth decay by:
- Asking about tooth pain and sensitivity.
- Looking around inside your mouth and at your teeth.
- Probing your teeth with dental instruments to check for soft areas.
- Looking at dental X-rays, which can show where cavities and decay are.
Your dentist also can tell you which of the three types of cavities you have: smooth surface, pit and fissure, or root.
Treatment
Regular checkups can find cavities and other dental issues before they lead to more-serious problems. The sooner you seek care, the better your chances of reversing the earliest stages of tooth decay and stopping it from getting worse. If a cavity is treated before it starts causing pain, you probably won’t need a lot of treatment.
Treatment of cavities depends on how serious they are and your situation. Treatment options include:
- Fluoride treatments. If your cavity just started, a fluoride treatment may help restore your tooth’s enamel and can sometimes reverse a cavity in the very early stages. Professional fluoride treatments contain more fluoride than the amount found in tap water, toothpaste and mouth rinses. Fluoride treatments may be liquid, gel, foam or varnish that’s brushed onto your teeth or placed in a small tray that fits over your teeth.
- Fillings. Fillings, also called restorations, are the main treatment option. Fillings are made of various materials, such as tooth-colored composite resin or porcelain, or dental amalgam that is a mixture of several materials.
- Crowns. If you have a lot of decay or weakened teeth, you may need a crown — a custom-fitted covering that replaces your tooth’s entire natural crown. The crown helps protect the soundness of the tooth and lowers the risk of fracture. Your dentist drills away the decayed area and enough of the rest of your tooth to ensure a good fit. Crowns may be made of gold, high-strength porcelain, resin, porcelain fused to metal or other materials.
- Root canals. When decay reaches the inner material of your tooth, called the pulp, you may need a root canal. This is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. The diseased tooth pulp is removed. Medicine is sometimes put into the root canal to clear any infection. Then the pulp is replaced with a filling.
- Tooth extractions. Some teeth become so seriously decayed that they can’t be restored and must be removed. Having a tooth pulled can leave a gap that allows your other teeth to shift. If possible, consider getting a bridge or a dental implant to replace the missing tooth.