Do all your dental cavities need fillings? An expert answers

Dental fillings usually consist of a mixture of metals, plastics, glass or other materials to repair or restore teeth. It is used to fill the cavity where your dentist has removed part of your tooth due to tooth decay. Traditionally, dentists filled every cavity. However, as technology and research progress, a number of additional solutions are available. There are also several conditions in which dental fillings are not actually necessary.

Because of how painful and uncomfortable dental fillings are, most people even try to avoid getting them. That’s why we discuss a number of problems that do not require dental fillings, but can be treated with a preventive dental routine.

Here are 5 conditions that can be treated without dental fillings

1. Hypocalcification (white spots on teeth)

These are the most common enamel defects that do not require treatment as they merely indicate a calcium deficiency during development and can be ignored. There are easier methods to lighten or hide these spots if they are uncomfortable. A filling can only be done for this if all else has failed.

2. Non-cavitated head

The term cavity literally means a break in the tooth surface and refers to a decayed tooth caused by bacterial activity. If there is no breakthrough, the decline has just begun, it can be stopped. Or at least controlled and observed with appropriate oral hygiene practices.

Every dentist does a decay test to see if cavities have developed; only then is an intervention recommended; otherwise, strict oral hygiene guidelines are applied, with the exception of young people who are unable to care for their own teeth.

Read also: 5 ways to maintain good oral hygiene

3. Arrested decay

When the degradation process has stopped and there are no visible bacterial lesions, the situation can be left as it is. This call is accepted based on the patient’s oral hygiene status. If they can keep their teeth and have no tendency for rampant decay, it’s best to leave stopped decay under observation.

Read also: Ignoring your dental cavity for too long? Here’s what can happen

4. Abrasive facets

Particularly on the chewing surfaces of the back molars, teeth can show these self-cleaning saucer-like defects as they age or are subjected to severe pressure. These may be completely asymptomatic or only mildly sensitive, requiring no fillings. Bite forces in such patients should be actively managed so that they are no longer stressful and the chafing process can be stopped.

If the symptoms become unbearable or if the bite needs to be corrected by adding restorative materials, an intervention can be planned.

5. Enamel chips

Instead of adding fillings, tiny flakes or uneven glaze surfaces can always be fixed by smoothing or reshaping these areas.

How do you know if you need a dental filling?

Dental filling (deeper filling until the root has healed) and additional treatment may be needed if there is deep tooth decay that closes the dental nerve with pain, swelling, or pus. Treatment delays and unruly areas can lead to future problems, such as significant structural tooth loss or chronic pain.