Dentists poke teeth during dental exams to identify cavities. If they find a potential cavity, they also poke that area to see how deep the tooth decay is in order to determine if you need filling.
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 a filling, there are ways to almost reverse the decay.
In short, it helps us to see and more accurately detect early signs of decay on your teeth, before a cavity forms. Our dentist in Coorparoo pokes at your gums to check for signs of gum disease.
The good news for you is that in most cases, an injection is no longer needed when carrying out a tooth filling procedure. This doesn't mean it will be carried out without an anaesthetic or without numbing the area – it just means you probably won't need an injection.
First, a cavity can only be seen on an x-ray once it has dissolved 20-30% of the tooth structure so it may not have been obvious last visit. And cavities can grow fast on some patients! Second, some teeth have rotations and malalignments that cause cavities to be very elusive from standard x-ray positions.
Dental fillings are often adequate for a fix, but in cases of severe infection, they may not work. If you have extensive damage from bacteria, you may need a dental crown.
Dentists also spend much of their time caring for patients who are often scared, anxious, or dealing with acute pain due to their teeth. It's no wonder that dentists get dental cavities at a higher rate than most people! While it's not something that happens very frequently, it does happen from time to time.
The drill vibrates and makes a high-pitched whirring noise that some patients find annoying. However, since the patient's mouth is numb, they should only feel gentle pressure or vibration. If any pain is felt, it should be mild and brief.
There is a little discomfort in filling small cavities. Large and deep cavities need more treatment. If the filling procedure starts without anesthesia, there will be pain. This will be the result of intense cleaning and drilling out of the decayed dental structure inside the tooth.
No Needles, No Drill, and No Pain
The reason your dentist normally numbs your mouth as part of the filling process is that they must use a drill to remove decayed tissue from inside the tooth. Without anesthesia, you may feel some twinges of pain while that is happening.
The answer is not always. Unfortunately, a cavity can be deceptive. It can hide and be obscured by old fillings, location, or just not be obvious by eye or X-ray. Many times I see a small cavity in a tooth that I think will be small and find after drilling that it is much, much bigger than originally thought.
Drilling Too Deep into the Canal
There are several injuries that could occur when a dentist drills too deep into a tooth's canal. First, the patient could suffer nerve damage as a result of a root canal procedure if the dentist drills through the apex of the tooth and into the inferior alveolar nerve.
Code 0 – Healthy gums, no bleeding when probed, no calculus or gingival pockets under 3.5mm. Code 1 – Slight bleeding when probed, no calculus or gingival pockets under 3.5mm. Code 2 – Slight bleeding when probed, Calculus or Plaque present and gingival pockets under 3.5mm.
But now there is a new cavity treatment called silver diamine fluoride (SDF). SDF is an FDA-approved liquid used to treat cavities without an injection or drilling. This new treatment can be great for young children, special needs/medically compromised patients, or anyone fearful of dental treatment.
In a span of 3-6 months cavities can reach the nerve of your tooth. That's not good. Really not good. That's by no means a definitive point either.
But once an actual cavity forms, dentists usually recommend treating it within a year. It's also important to note that timelines can vary depending on your specific dental needs. Some people have softer enamel than others, which can cause cavities to progress rapidly.
Teeth start to appear as early as four months of age, and all primary (“baby”) teeth should be in place by age three. 42% of children develop cavities from age 2 to 11. Nearly 28% of children aged 2 to 5 develop a cavity.
Pretty much everyone gets a cavity or two in their lifetime, even with good dental hygiene. The average American adult has three fillings. But if you tend to get a lot of cavities, you may be wondering why. Are you more cavity-prone than other people?
Once a tooth is extracted, you may need stitches and will experience a dull ache for a few days. You will also need to avoid certain foods which may irritate the extraction site. With a filling, there should be no discomfort and you will be able to eat your regular diet as soon as the numbing agent wears off.
Cavities are not similar to everyone. Some cavities might be extensive, small, dark, or light. Getting holes filled might require ten minutes to 1 hour per tooth, depending on the size of the cavity and its location.
In general, adults develop an average of three cavities during their lifetimes. This means that the average adult has three or four fillings in their mouth. Some patients end up with ten or more fillings depending on how well they care for their teeth.
Causes of Sudden Cavities
Cavities that develop quickly and unexpectedly may be the result of: Sudden Dietary Changes: You might have changed your diet in some way, including drinking more soda, adding more sugar to your coffee, eating more starchy or acidic foods, or consuming more sweets.
Genetics – Some people are simply born being more susceptible to the type of bacteria that cause cavities. Tooth Anatomy – People with crowded teeth have a lot of nooks and crannies where plaque and cavity-causing bacteria accumulate. It's also harder to reach these areas with a toothbrush and floss.