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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

Treatment of cavities depends on how severe they are and your particular situation. Treatment options include:

  • Fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a mineral that helps teeth repair themselves at the earliest stage of damage. If your cavity is just getting started, a fluoride treatment may be able to help restore your tooth's enamel. Professional fluoride treatments contain more fluoride than the amount found in over-the-counter toothpaste and mouth rinses. Fluoride treatments may be in a liquid solution, gel, foam or varnish that's brushed onto your teeth or placed in a small tray that fits over your teeth. Each treatment takes a few minutes. Your dentist may suggest having periodic fluoride treatments.
  • Fillings. A filling is material that replaces decayed areas of your teeth once damage becomes permanent. Fillings, sometimes called restorations, are the main treatment option when decay has progressed beyond the earliest enamel-erosion stage. Your dentist drills away the decayed part of your tooth, then fills the gap to restore your tooth's shape. Fillings are made of various materials, such as tooth-colored composite resins, porcelain, or combinations of several materials. Silver amalgam fillings contain a variety of materials, including small amounts of mercury. Some people don't like using amalgam fillings because they fear possible adverse health effects from the mercury. While medical studies have shown these fillings to be safe and long-lasting, they remain controversial.
  • Crowns. If you have extensive decay or weakened teeth, you may need a crown rather than a filling to treat your cavity and restore your tooth. A crown is a custom-fitted covering that replaces your tooth's entire natural crown. Your dentist will drill away all the decayed area and enough of the rest of your tooth to ensure a good fit for the crown. Crowns may be made of gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.
  • Root canals. When decay reaches the inner material of your tooth (pulp), you may need a root canal. In this procedure, the tooth pulp is removed and replaced with a filling.
  • Tooth extractions. Some teeth become so severely decayed that they can't be restored — they must be removed. Having a tooth extracted can leave a gap that allows your other teeth to shift. If possible, consider getting a bridge or a dental implant to replace the missing tooth.
Prevention Tests and diagnosis
References
  1. Gonzalves W. Oral health. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3036775. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  2. Ubertalli JT. Caries. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec08/ch095/ch095b.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
  3. Fontana M. Defining dental caries for 2010 and beyond. Dental Clinics of North America. 2010;54:423.
  4. Selwitz RH, et al. Dental caries. The Lancet. 2007;369:51.
  5. Using fluoride to prevent and control tooth decay in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/fact_sheets/fl_caries.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2011.
  6. Dental amalgam use and benefits. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/amalgam.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2011.
  7. Dental sealants. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/sealants_faq.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2011.
  8. Aranha ACC, et al. Eating disorders part II: Clinical strategies for dental treatment. Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. 2008;9:e1. http://www.thejcdp.com/journal/view/eating-disorders-part-ii--clinical-strategies-for-dental-treatment. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
  9. Alfara EV, et al. Dental implications in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 2008;20:576.
  10. Tinanoff N, et al. Update on early childhood caries since the surgeon general's report. Academic Pediatrics. 2009;9:396.
DS00896 April 28, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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