So you think you have a cavity – what comes next? You will not be able to take care of it on your own, as your body is not capable of naturally reversing the spread of decay. The restorative dental work you need will depend on the cavity itself. When you go longer without treatment, the cavity has time to grow. If decay enters your pulp and infects the tooth’s living tissue, a root canal can be called for. However, if you treat a cavity quickly, you can ensure that a more conservative approach is all that is needed to bring you back to good oral health.
Questions:
True Or False: There is no reason to hurry when it comes to treating a cavity.
True Or False: You get to choose whether you receive a filling, or a dental crown.
True Or False: A root canal is only required when decay has managed to access the pulp of your tooth.
Answers:
False! A cavity will grow over time, and that growth means more of your tooth will need to be removed.
False! A dental filling can restore the lost dental material removed in the course of a cavity treatment. If more material has to be removed than your filling can effectively restore, your tooth will require a dental crown.
True! A root canal is not needed in every instance. The procedure is meant to address endodontic trouble, so a cavity that does not hurt the interior of your tooth will not make this necessary. It should also be noted that not every tooth requiring a root canal needs one due to a cavity. If a dental injury causes nerve damage, you may need a root canal.
