Dentists still have to use the dental drill for deep cavities and silver fillings. This is also true for a few other treatments: onlays, crowns, and bridges.
Do dentists have to drill cavities?
The dentist has to drill a tooth cavity because the cavity (the hole in the tooth) is not just an empty space — it is actually filled with decayed tooth material. In order to correctly prepare the tooth for a filling, the dentist must remove this decayed material.
Do cavities require drilling?
So, what is a cavity anyway? A cavity is a localized bacterial infection in a tooth that causes a hole, or “cavity.” Traditionally, dentists would need to drill out the infection and place a filling to restore the lost tooth structure.
What happens if you fill a cavity without drilling it?
The main downside is the liquid will turn the cavity permanently black, an aesthetic problem that would be particularly visible in any front teeth. But any healthy part of the tooth would not be affected by this color change.
Is my dentist lying about cavities?
The answer is not always. Unfortunately, a cavity can be deceptive. It can hide and be obscured by old fillings, location, or just not be obvious by eye or X-ray. Many times I see a small cavity in a tooth that I think will be small and find after drilling that it is much, much bigger than originally thought.
Can I wait 6 months to fill a cavity?
As a broad timeline, on average, it can take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity needs treatment. The conditions of your mouth change daily.
Can small cavities go away?
A cavity can usually be reversed if it’s caught at the onset or early stages of the demineralization process, the first step of tooth decay. During this stage, good oral hygiene is imperative to restoring the minerals in your teeth and halting decay.
Is drilling a tooth painful?
Once the site is numb, your dentist uses a dental drill to remove the decay. You may feel a slight vibration from the drill, but no discomfort.
Do tiny cavities need to be filled?
Even if you have small cavities they need to be filled. However, if you can catch it early, before tooth decay had led to a cavity, there are a few options available to help you avoid the drill.