Getting dental or medical treatment of any kind can be anxiety-producing. It can also be costly. But waiting too long to seek treatment often leads to worsening conditions and even more costly fixes. If your dentist discovers a cavity while examining your mouth, the best option is to get it treated as soon as possible with a dental filling in Davidsonville, MD. If you don’t treat your cavity quickly, it could spread and cause more dental problems. Exactly how long you can wait to fill in a cavity depends on a few factors.

Factors for a Dental Filling in Davidsonville, MD

When your dentist discovers a cavity, they’ll almost always recommend treatment right away. However, not everyone is ready to get a dental filling so quickly. Some patients may need time to secure finances or arrange transport if they need sedation dentistry. Your dentist can explain the state of your cavity to help you decide how long your treatment can wait.

Location of the Cavity

Where you have a cavity can play a role in how quickly you’ll want to get it treated. For example, a cavity on your smile line is more likely to be visibly noticeable, especially as it spreads. These teeth also have less surface area for the cavity to grow on, meaning they may become more sensitive or susceptible to fractures as the decay progresses. If the decay becomes too extensive, patients may need an inlay or onlay to help restore their smile and bite instead of a simple dental filling.

Depth of the Cavity

Your teeth are made up of a few different layers. The outer layer, the enamel, is where many cavities begin. Enamel-layer cavities are generally the easiest to treat, and your dentist will most likely be able to fix the problem with a dental filling. But as the cavity grows, it can often reach into the dentin layer of your tooth. These cavities are a bit more difficult to treat and often require more invasive procedures such as an inlay or onlay. If the cavity is allowed to progress further, it could even reach the root structure of your tooth. This can lead to an infected pulp that can typically only be treated with a root canal.

When your dentist discovers a cavity, they’ll often take an x-ray of the tooth. This can help them determine how deep the cavity extends to provide a better timeline of when you should get treatment.

If you have a cavity, it’s important that you get it treated as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more damage it can cause. At Wooddell & Passaro, we can help treat cavities of all kinds for our patients. Give us a call at (410) 956-5555 to schedule a consultation and learn more about your cavity treatment options.