It’s Just a Small Cavity. Can I Just Leave It Alone?
Your dentist told you about a small cavity at your last checkup, but it doesn’t hurt and you can’t really see it, so it’s easy to think it can wait while you get on with your busy life. Like many people, as understandable as their reasoning is, it’s important to know what ‘wait’ actually means for a cavity so they can make an informed choice.
Reasons Why a Small Cavity Might Not Seem So Urgent
A cavity that’s still small tends not to produce any noticeable symptoms – and the reason for this is simple: it’s not yet reached the deeper layers of the tooth where the nerves are located. This is why cavities tend to be found at routine checkups rather than through self-identification of symptoms.
A Breakdown of How Decay Typically Develops
Decay tends to develop in a predictable sequence, and understanding this can shine light on why treating cavities at an early stage is so common:
- It typically starts out in the outer layer (the enamel) as a small mark or pocket of de-mineralisation,
- then progresses down into the softer layer of dentine beneath the enamel, which accelerates the process,
- and finally gets close enough to the sensitive, vascular pulp in the centre of the tooth for it to cause pain or discomfort.
If it gets far enough to reach the pulp, it can cause inflammation or infection of this tissue.
This is a general guideline, as the rate of progression tends to differ between individuals, teeth, and situations, but it gives a reasonable idea of the sort of path untreated decay tends to follow.
What This Might Mean for the Sort of Treatment Needed
This is the other major reason why a small cavity tends to be easier to treat: at an early enough stage, it can sometimes be treated with a simple composite filling. This means removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling the space with a durable plastic/resin composite to repair it.
If the decay has gotten far enough to reach the deeper layers, root canal treatment (to hollow out and replace the affected pulp) might be needed in addition to a filling, along with the possibility of a supportive crown.
In extreme cases where the integrity of the tooth has been compromised, extraction might actually be the most viable option for long-term health.
As noted at the beginning of this section, this is a general guideline. Every tooth, cavity and situation is different, and only an actual dental examination can determine what’s actually present and what sort of treatment will be needed.
It’s Not Just About What It Needs When It Gets Worse
In addition to requiring more intensive treatment when left too long, a cavity that’s progressed can also negatively impact the long-term health or viability of a tooth, either by putting it at greater risk of fracturing or spreading the decay to nearby teeth.
Can I Just Leave It Alone?
There’s no real right or wrong answer for every individual situation, and it’s important to discuss these concerns with your dentist before making any decisions about leaving any dental problem untreated. As a general rule of thumb, don’t leave one of these ‘until it gets worse’, since problems with teeth rarely have a point at which they magically become less urgent. As a rule of thumb, it’s always easier to treat a small cavity than to wait for it to get bigger and more serious.
If you’re worried about the possibility of leaving one of these untreated, Mumtaj Dental Care recommends speaking with your dentist about your concerns. A proper examination (and potentially an X-ray) will be needed to identify what’s actually present and what your options are.
