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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment of cavities depends on how severe they are and your particular situation. Treatment options include:
- Fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent cavities and helps teeth repair themselves. If your cavity is just getting started, a fluoride treatment may be able to help restore enamel. Professional fluoride treatments contain more fluoride than what's found in over-the-counter toothpaste and mouth rinses. Fluoride treatments may be in a liquid solution, a gel, foam or varnish that is brushed onto your teeth or placed in a tray that fits over your teeth. Each treatment takes a few minutes. Your dentist may suggest having periodic fluoride treatments.
- Fillings. A filling is material that replaces decayed areas of your teeth. Fillings, sometimes called restorations, are the main treatment option when the decay has progressed beyond the initial enamel-erosion process. Your dentist drills away the decayed material inside your tooth. The gap is then filled to restore the tooth shape. Fillings are made of various materials, such as tooth-colored composite resins, porcelain, or combinations of several materials. Silver amalgam fillings contain a variety of materials, including small amounts of mercury. Some people don't like using mercury fillings because they fear possible adverse health effects. While some medical studies have shown these fillings to be safe, they remain controversial.
- Crowns. If you have extensive decay or weakened teeth, you may need a crown rather than a filling to treat your cavity. The decayed area is drilled away. A crown is then fit over the remaining portion of tooth. Crowns are made of gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.
- Root canal. When decay is severe and reaches the inner material of the tooth, you may need a root canal. In this procedure, the pulp of the tooth is removed and then replaced with a filling.
- Tooth extractions. A severely decayed tooth may need to be removed entirely. Having a tooth extracted can cause the other teeth in your mouth to move, so if possible, consider getting a dental implant to replace the missing tooth.
References
- Gonsalves W. Oral health. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill/Lange; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3036775. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Durso SC. Oral manifestations of disease. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2862909. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Plaque: What it is and how to get rid of it. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0C900F9D-C582-4609-A62C-CF4AB53E84A0/0/Plaque_brochure.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Seal out tooth decay. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/ToothDecay/SealOutToothDecay.htm. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Fact sheet: Tooth decay. Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.agd.org/public/OralHealthFacts/files/pdfgenerator.aspx?pdf=FS_ToothDecay.pdf&id=. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Eating habits that can harm teeth. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2002;133:1739.
- The oral health of older Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/factsheets/adult_older.htm. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Kagihara LE. Assessment, management, and prevention of early childhood caries. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 2009;21:1.
- Caries. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec08/ch095/ch095b.html. Accessed March 8, 2009.
- Oral health: Preventing cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/pdf/doh.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Dental amalgam use and benefits. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/factsheets/amalgam.htm. Accessed March 12, 2009.
