Cavities are a common oral health concern that dentists can treat with restorative dentistry. While common, leaving cavities untreated for an extended amount of time can lead to severe complications, including tooth infection, dental abscess, deep tooth decay, and the loss of teeth.
The good news is that treating dental cavities is relatively easy for dentists to do in the early stages with fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy. Individuals who have cavities should seek treatment as soon as possible to limit or avoid the cosmetic and oral health concerns that cavities can cause, prevent severe pain, and help ensure teeth are not lost due to cavities.
One of the primary reasons patients seek treatment for cavities is because of the cosmetic concern they can cause, especially if they develop on the visible surface of teeth or on highly visible teeth. Of course, cavity treatment is not necessarily a cosmetic procedure, but there are cosmetic benefits. For example, dentists can use tooth-colored fillings to help ensure the tooth blends in well with healthy natural teeth after the restoration.
Cavities that are left untreated can lead to some serious oral health concerns. Some of the potential problems that could develop as a result of untreated dental cavities are:
The more severe the cavity becomes, the more extensive the treatment procedure is to restore the tooth. For example, a minor cavity can often be filled with a dental filling. However, severe decay may require root canal therapy followed by the placement of a dental crown.
A common mistake many make is assuming dental cavity treatment is not urgent if their cavities do not cause any discomfort or a cosmetic concern. However, while cavities may take a while to become painful, the pain and sensitivity can quickly become rather severe once the root of the tooth is exposed. At this point, more extensive treatment (a root canal or tooth extraction) is much more likely to be necessary. Therefore, receiving treatment before the cavities worsen and become painful is strongly encouraged.
Once cavities are so severe that root canal therapy is not enough to save the tooth, then tooth extraction is likely necessary. Teeth may fall out without needing to be extracted as well if dental treatment for the cavities is ignored for too long. This can lead to the need for teeth replacement, which is generally far more costly and invasive.
Here at our dental practice, we offer dental cavity treatment. During your first visit, we can examine your teeth to determine the best way to treat your cavities and any other oral health concerns you may have. To schedule a visit with our professional and friendly dental team, give us a call today.
Request an appointment here: https://austinlakesdentistry.com or call Austin Lakes Dentistry: Scott T Gordon DDS at (512) 266-1308 for an appointment in our Austin office.
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