If you have a small cavity, it does take time to spread or advance deeper into the tooth. However, the longer you wait, the more stress you put on the tooth and the larger the area of decay.
Waiting too long can result in a dental crown instead of a filling, or even an extraction instead of treatment. The tooth can even crumble.
There is no hard-and-fast rule (or tooth decay progression timeline) for when a cavity will advance and seriously compromise your tooth structure, so seeing the dentist as soon as possible is always the best course.
In other words, an emerging cavity is not a dental emergency, but it can become one without treatment.
Untreated tooth decay consequences (or the risk of delaying a dental filling) include:
- Sudden and Painful Dental Emergency
- Tooth Crumbling or Fracture
- The need for a Larger and More Expensive Restoration
- Loss of the Tooth
Tooth-Colored Fillings in Foothill Ranch: When to See a Dentist for a Cavity
With timely intervention in our dental office, we can repair your cavity and complete treatment with a cosmetic filling that complements your smile. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with your dentist in Foothill Ranch, call us today.