A 30-year-old member asked:
What can i do about a small cavity in my tooth besides drill and fill?
5 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Yash Khannaanswered
Family Medicine 59 years experience
Cavity in tooth: You do need a filling there is no other way, if you dont fill, you will eventually loose the tooth.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Eckelsonanswered
Orthodontics 52 years experience
Leave it alone: You can monitor it. Some cavities are self limiting and will just be there. Others are active and need to be treated. Best let a competent dentist help you with this decision.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Alvaro Lazoanswered
Dentistry 26 years experience
Good oral: Hygiene will help toslow down the caries process. However, you do need a filling.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Matthew Smithanswered
Cosmetic Dentistry 22 years experience
Potential Reversal : Depending on the extent of tooth destruction, various treatments can be used to restore teeth to proper form, function, and aesthetics, but there is no known method to regenerate large amounts of tooth structure. If the cavity is discovered at early onset a high Fluoride toothpaste, high ph rinse along with managing risk factors can be used to remineralization of very small cavity lesions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Gary Sandleranswered
Dentistry 56 years experience
Why?: Early demineralization\decalcification of the enamel of the tooth can sometimes be reversed with remineralizing toothpastes & impeccable oral hygiene. However, the causes of this occurring in the first place usually do not stop & therefore it tends to reoccur with deepening decay! there are no magic treatments. It's best to just get it filled when it is small & easily repaired. No reason not to!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Gary Sandler commented
Dentistry 56 years experience
Provided original answer
If we knew why you were hesitant about getting your tooth treated properly with a small tooth colored composite filling, we could address that issue. Discuss your concerns with your own dentist. Trust your dentist or find another one who you do.
Jul 27, 2013
Last updated Feb 8, 2015
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