The type of cavity treatment depends on how far the tooth decay has spread.
Filling – A tooth with limited damage that doesn’t put the tooth at risk for fracture, can be treated with a cavity filling. There are different types of filling materials and the one chosen for your procedure will depend on your specific situation.
Crown – When a tooth is at a high risk of fracture, you may need a crown. A crown is a covering for the tooth that helps direct the biting forces toward the stronger root structure, rather than the part of the tooth damaged by decay. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials and are chosen based on your specific situation.
Root canal – When the decay has reached the nerve (or pulp) of the tooth, the nerve begins to die and get infected, and needs to be removed. The canal within the root where the nerve was is then filled with a rubber-type material to seal the tooth off from the rest of the body. Teeth that require root canal therapy often need a crown, too. This is because a large amount of the tooth structure is missing.
Extraction – A tooth may be extracted, or pulled, if it’s too damaged to benefit from other cavity treatments. An extracted tooth can be replaced with a bridge, dental implant or denture. Not all teeth need to be replaced, depending on where they are located.