To some people, dental fillings can be considered costly and uncomfortable. Because filling a cavity requires drilling the decayed tooth, people are often curious about what other ways a cavity can be treated.
Traditionally, a cavity is treated by filling the tooth with a medically safe material to stop the decay from furthering. However, as dental technology has progressed with time, people have been studying other ways to treat cavities.
Avoiding dental drilling is commonly preferred by most people because it can be painful and scary. Nowadays, there are other ways to treat a cavity so that a filling isn’t always required. Today, we will go over whether or not a dental filling is always necessary to treat a cavity.
In short, the answer is no. Dental fillings are used to treat cavities because a dentist tends to want to remove the decayed part (the cavity) and fill it to stop any further damage from occurring. While there aren’t ways to remove a cavity without using a filling, there are ways almost to reverse the decay. Read more below as we address reversal ways of decay.
When a cavity is in its early stages, fluoride can often put the decay at a halt as well as reverse how bad the decay may be. The fluoride agents restore tooth enamel and ensure that it is strong and durable.
Fluoride treatments can be given in a dentist’s office, or toothpaste and mouthwashes that contain high amounts of fluoride can be purchased for daily use.
Dental sealants are usually applied to teeth to protect against cavities from forming. It is a clear, plastic coat application that does exactly what it sounds like — seals the tooth. They are typically applied to molars because molars need extra protection since they chew and grind food.
Dental sealants may be applied to a tooth that has decay forming, and it will put the decay to a halt as well as reverse the current decay. This is most commonly effective for a decaying tooth only when the decay is in its early stages.
While dental fillings provide a person with a restored tooth, they may not always be necessary. They can be expensive and scary to have done because it requires drilling of the tooth. Knowing what alternative treatment methods there are for cavities can help a person who is concerned about having a dental filling done.
If you have questions about dental fillings and whether or not they are necessary, reach out to our office today. Our trained staff can help answer any questions or address any concerns that you might have. Give us a call today!
Request an appointment here: https://www.oaklandsmiles.com or call Oakland Smile Dentistry at (510) 256-5117 for an appointment in our Oakland office.
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