What's The Likely Outcome If You Ignore A Cavity?

You probably know what it's like to have a cavity filled. It seems to be such a simple task for your dentist that you probably never thought about the alternative—which is choosing not to seek treatment. What happens if you ignore a cavity?

Weakening

Cavities start as a weakening of a tooth's outer layer, which is made of dental enamel. This enamel is composed almost entirely of minerals—with a mineral content of 96%, which is primarily hydroxyapatite. In fact, this weakening of dental enamel is often called demineralization. The enamel loses its mineral content, weakens, and corrodes. This corrosion creates a physical cavity.

Thinning

As the site's enamel coverage begins to weaken, the enamel thins. It corrodes until the site's enamel is missing entirely, creating a small breach in the tooth's outer layer. As it deepens, this breach will reach the tooth's next layer, which is called dentin. Dentin isn't as strong as enamel and is slightly darker in color. It's also not as solid as it looks.

Dentin contains tubules, which are microscopic passages branching from its outer coating to its center. These tubules are denser at the center of the tooth, where the tooth's living tissue (its pulp) is found. You have anywhere from 59,000 to 76,000 tubules per square millimeter of tooth dentin. Tubules play an unexpected role in cavities.

Passages

Tubules permit oral bacteria—including cariogenic bacteria, which can cause cavities—to pass through your dentin. Bacteria may enter tubules and migrate to the tooth's pulp. This living tissue can then become infected, which is extremely uncomfortable. Reversing this infection is possible if it's noted early enough, but in many cases a root canal will be needed. And all the while, your dental enamel and dentin is continuing to corrode, so the cavity is deepening.

Pulp

As the cavity grows, the tooth's pulp becomes increasingly infected. You may need a root canal, in addition to having the tooth's lost structure replaced. This involves a filling and often a dental crown fitted over the whole tooth. And this is actually one of the better outcomes for a neglected cavity. Infection that spreads beyond the tooth's pulp may be beyond the capabilities of root canal therapy. A tooth with a wide-ranging pulpal infection and extensive decay may need to be totally extracted.

It's your choice whether you have a cavity treated. But since ignoring a cavity can lead to extreme discomfort and total loss of the tooth, you can safely say that ignoring a cavity is the wrong choice. Talk to your dentist for more information.