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Do small cavities need to be filled?
I have small cavities in my teeth. Do small cavities need to be filled?
9 Answers
Individual dentist will decide!
I make decision based on patient’s eating/drinking habits… how frequently pt comes for check up..previous history of getting cavities etc
All cavities need to be filled in a timely manner. Taking care of a dental problem in time will help reduce future problems, treatment needed, (like a root canal) and cost.
Any cavities needs to be addressed
YES!!!! Small cavities, if left untreated, will develop into larger ones and eventually cause pain, infection, or loss of your tooth.
Yes, definitely or they’ll get worse!!
Yes, they will eventually get bigger, become more costly, and possibly more painful.
Small cavities do need to be filled. However, “small” has definitions and that would be up to the doctor to assess during the exam if it can be left untreated.
Yes.
Maybe. If the cavities are truly small and are still in the outer portion of the tooth (enamel only) then they do not yet need to be filled. If they are at this point, there are options to actually heal the cavities, such as prescription toothpastes with remineralization compounds, or resin infiltration. If the cavity goes into the inner part of the tooth, which can be seen on a dental x-ray, then they need a filling.