How bad does a cavity have to be to get pulled?

Extensive Decay
Unfortunately, a cavity will expand and worsen if left untreated. If the cavity gets so large that it cannot be saved through other means, extraction will be necessary.

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How bad does a cavity have to be for the tooth to be pulled?

You may need to have a tooth extracted if: Periodontal disease has badly infected the tooth. The tooth is badly damaged and cannot be restored by a filling or a crown. You are suffering from pain even after a filling, crown, or treatment for a root canal.

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At what point can a cavity not be filled?

If the decay reaches your tooth's main structure, called dentin, then a filling can replace the lost tooth structure after your dentist has cleaned the cavity of bacteria and infection. However, if it reaches the tooth's center chamber, called the pulp, a filling may no longer suffice to address it.

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Can you get a cavity pulled?

While not all large cavities require having a tooth pulled, it's possible you need a tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be repaired.

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Is it better to get a cavity filled or pulled?

If you have a cavity, getting it filled can save your tooth and its functionality without necessarily affecting your smile. If you have the tooth pulled, you will be left with a gap unless you replace the tooth with a denture or implant.

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do you REALLY need to get a CAVITY filled?

16 related questions found

What is the most painful tooth to extract?

What is the most difficult tooth to extract? Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt properly. They are generally considered to be the most difficult teeth to extract. The higher the degree of impaction, the more difficult the extraction.

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Does a cavity hurt when you press on it?

There are lots of factors that make your tooth feel the pain under pressure: Tooth decay - Tooth decay means you have a hole in your tooth, also known as a cavity. Small cavities are often sensitive to hot, cold, and sweets, a signal that your dentin is exposed. Some cavities are extremely sensitive to pressure.

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Is it easier to pull a rotten tooth?

Extensive dental caries throughout the tooth will make the tooth very weak and more likely to fracture. The site of the decay is also important. If it is where the forceps are placed, then the extraction is immediately trickier and fracture more likely. (vii) Mobility.

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How painful is tooth extraction?

As far as pain after tooth extraction, most people experience slight discomfort for a day or so, which is completely normal. The wound will be sore and sensitive, and the surrounding areas may also feel the same way. Typically, the discomfort does not extend past two days.

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Will a cavity eventually fall out?

If a tooth dies or becomes rotten with decay, you should visit your dentist ASAP. The sooner a patient sees a dentist, the chances increase that a root canal can save a rotten tooth. So, yes a rotten tooth will eventually fall out, but a patient should not wait until it does.

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How late is too late for a cavity?

Those that are too deep or too large may require a more intensive treatment. Once bacteria have entered your tooth, it may be too late for a filling because we will need to prevent or treat an existing infection. However, it's never too late for dental care!

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When is a cavity too far gone?

If a cavity goes untreated for two years or longer, severe damage to the tooth is likely. You will notice discoloration around the tooth, swelling around the gums, and severe pain and sensitivity. The bacteria will probably have damaged the tooth root and pulp at this point. You may lose the tooth.

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When is a cavity too deep for filling?

A minor hole can be taken care with the help of simple fillings. But if the disease has reached the tooth's pulp, the patient needs an advanced root canal treatment. Dental care experts conduct a close examination and recommend getting x-rays to check if the decay has reached the dentin.

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Can a dentist drill a cavity too deep?

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.

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Why wouldn't a dentist pull a tooth?

Many dentists lack the experience and the skill to remove difficult teeth. Teeth that have had root canals, have long roots, or are ankylosed (fused) to your bone tissue are nightmares to take out for a lot of dental practitioners.

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Can I eat 3 hours after tooth extraction?

How Long After Tooth Extraction Can I Eat Solid Foods? After tooth extraction near you, it is essential to understand what, when, and how to eat. A dentist generally recommends strictly avoiding solid foods for 24 hours. After that window, you can resume eating them again.

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How do I calm down before tooth extraction?

How Do You Calm Down Before Tooth Extraction?
  1. Deep Breathing. One way to calm your nerves is by taking slow, deep breaths. ...
  2. Relaxation Techniques. Another way to manage stress before it is by using different relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery or self-hypnosis. ...
  3. Distraction. ...
  4. Meditation.

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What teeth are hardest to extract?

Teeth with long or curved roots

This is usually why dentists recommend having wisdom teeth removed early. It is generally harder to remove a tooth with multiple roots such as molars, especially if they have curved, crooked or hook-like roots.

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What is considered a difficult tooth extraction?

Examples of complicated tooth extraction cases include entangled roots, impacted teeth, very large sinuses and mouth infections. If one of the teeth that need to be pulled is already fractured, it is likely that it will fracture even more while being pulled, requiring the skills of a trained oral surgeon.

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Do rotten teeth smell?

Absolutely. As odd as it might seem, just as you can smell the odor coming off of a rotting piece of fruit, you can smell the odor released from a rotting tooth. If you have bad breath that seems near impossible to get rid of, it's possible you have one or more rotten teeth.

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Is it normal to have 11 cavities?

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.

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What does a really bad cavity feel like?

Symptoms Of a Cavity

These include an inability to eat or drink things that are very hot or sweet, teeth that have noticeable stains or small openings, discomfort when eating, and having unpleasant breath. To prevent further damage, you must see the dentist as soon as you begin to experience any of these symptoms.

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What does a bad cavity feel like?

If the damage gets down through the enamel, deeper into the inner layer or dentin, you're more likely to: Feel a toothache or feel pain when eating, drinking or biting down. Feel sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food and drinks. Develop a bad taste in your mouth, or bad breath.

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Is tooth pain the worst pain in the world?

A severe toothache can be a harrowing experience and is in many ways unique from your body's other aches and pains. The intensity of tooth pain can be extraordinary, with severity rivaling true neuralgia – intense neurological pain of almost unparalleled proportions.

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