Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is a common issue faced by a large share of population. Many people seem to ignore its early symptoms since there is no pain at the very beginning. When there is a toothache, it entails that the caries is actually rather serious and requires more sophisticated treatment than dental filling. And you may need to pay several visits to your dentist for the restoration. Some, however, may get confused. Is it really necessary to pay a few dental visits to fix a tooth cavity? Can’t it just be filled during one visit?

    According to dentists from AKJ Dental Hospital, common as it is, dental caries can be categorized into different stages, including early caries, moderate caries, advanced caries, and severer conditions like pulpitis and periapical periodontitis. The severity varies from one case to another, so does the final treatment plan. Dentists can hardly know which treatment is required for your case until a thorough examination is run. 

    Generally speaking, it’s possible to fix mild caries which rests only on the layer of enamel or dentin during one visit. Eroded tooth issues will be removed first, followed by a filling procedure to restore both the contour and function of teeth. Usually the procedure can be completed within half to an hour.

    While for deeper cavities which have reached the pulp chamber, it’s root canal therapy (RCT) that may be required. RCT refers to removing eroded issues and shaping a hole, followed by gutta-percha filling and a crown restoration, which involves two to four visits. Besides, X-ray check-up should be scheduled before the treatment to know the dental condition more clearly.

    In closing, whether or not the treatment to fix a tooth cavity can be finished within one visit is not sure, depending on the severity of your case. By and large, the milder the caries is and the earlier you seek treatment, the easier the procedure will be and the better result it will yield.  Relevant article: How to fix tooth cavities?

    After the restoration, it’s necessary that you take good care of the repaired tooth. If the filling material comes out accidentally, you should book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to have it fixed, preventing the occurrence of secondary caries. 

    Please feel free to contact me if there’s any dental problem. (WeChat ID: aiyuan325180)