General Dentistry
Cavity treatment
Removing the decay and rebuilding the tooth — usually in a single visit.
Treating a cavity means removing the tissue destroyed by bacteria, then rebuilding the tooth with a composite matched to its colour. It is done under local anaesthetic and takes one visit as long as the decay has not reached the pulp. Beyond that, it becomes root canal treatment.
How the appointment goes
- Local anaesthetic, used as soon as the decay goes beyond the enamel
- Removal of the decayed tissue, under direct vision and with caries-detecting dye
- A rubber dam is placed, isolating the tooth from saliva
- The tooth is rebuilt in layers of composite, each cured before the next
- Bite adjustment, polishing, and a check of the contact point
The rubber dam is not a comfort measure: a composite bonded to enamel dampened by saliva loses most of its adhesion, and the restoration comes away within months.
What to expect afterwards
Sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal: the tooth has been drilled and its pulp reacts. It settles on its own.
Pain that instead takes hold, increases, or wakes you at night in the following weeks should be reported: it means the pulp is affected more deeply than the initial examination showed.
When a filling is no longer enough
Past a certain size, a direct composite no longer holds: there is not enough sound tooth to support it, and the tooth fractures at the first hard bite. At that point we move to a laboratory-made bonded restoration, or a crown.
Where that limit falls is judged tooth by tooth, on how many walls remain and on the forces at that point of the arch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does treating a cavity take?
Usually thirty to forty-five minutes for a straightforward one. Several cavities in the same area can be treated in one visit, since the anaesthetic already covers the region.
Will the filling show?
The shade is chosen from a guide before treatment, and the material is layered at different opacities. On a front tooth, a well-executed restoration is not distinguishable at conversational distance.
Does a composite last for life?
No restoration is permanent. Its lifespan depends on its size, on hygiene and on chewing forces. A yearly check-up lets us replace an ageing restoration before decay sets in underneath it.
This page is for information only. It is not a diagnosis, personalised medical advice or a prescription. Only a clinical examination can establish a diagnosis and lead to a treatment plan.
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