Korea Economic and Cultural Research Institute (KECI)-Listed Director Kim Yuna’s Health Column: Why Does the Number of “Cavity Treatments” Differ by Dental Clinic? Practical Tips to Avoid Overtreatment, Too!

[Director Kim Yuna’s Health Column] Why does the number of “cavity treatments” differ by dental clinic? Practical tips to avoid overtreatment, too!

Korea Economic and Cultural Research Institute ・ 2025. 11. 19. 10:13

When you get a consultation at a dental clinic, one place may say, “You have three cavities!” while another may say, “You don’t have any cavities that need treatment.” Why does this difference happen?

To start with the conclusion, the need for treatment differs depending on the stage of the cavity (C1, C2, C3), and dentists may judge it differently depending on their perspective and diagnostic criteria (preventive treatment / immediate treatment / observation over time).

Cavities have stages. They are divided as shown in the table below.

Stage	Characteristics	Treatment method
C1	Early cavity with damage only to the enamel (the outermost layer of the tooth)	Observation / preventive treatment; if needed, simple procedures such as resin or sealant
C2	Cavity has progressed to the dentin and may cause pain	Restorative treatment such as inlay, resin, or amalgam after removing the cavity
C3	Cavity has progressed to the pulp (nerve) and pain can become severe	Relatively complex treatment such as root canal treatment followed by crown treatment

At one dental clinic, even an early C1-stage cavity may be considered a treatment target, while at another, you may be advised to simply monitor it regularly without immediate treatment. In the case of C2 or C3, most clinics will diagnose treatment as necessary, and for C3 and above, root canal treatment is needed. Depending on the diagnostic criteria, equipment, and clinical experience, the number of cavities that actually require treatment can differ.

Tips to prevent overtreatment for cavities

First, get examinations only at at least two or three dental clinics, then compare the diagnoses, the number of cavities, and the treatment plans.

If treatment is needed, ask in detail about the location of the cavities, the treatment method, and how urgent it is (whether it is essential or optional), and write it down. If, after a cavity diagnosis, the number of cavities suddenly seems excessively high, it is a good idea to get an additional examination or consultation right away.

Second, you should be cautious if a dentist pushes treatment without a specific reason, or recommends discounts or immediate treatment for same-day prepayment.

Be careful with clinics that recommend treatment simply because your teeth feel sensitive, saying it is definitely a cavity, and asking to see the X-ray image and requesting an explanation of the lesion’s location can increase trust.

Third, it is safer to get a consultation at a place with good reviews and a strong reputation, or at a place recommended by someone you know.

If the treatment cost is a burden, consider various plans such as insurance-covered treatment or splitting the treatment into multiple visits before making a decision.

[Director Kim Yuna’s helpful tips with example questions to avoid overtreatment!]

Example questions to avoid overtreatment

“Is this a treatment that absolutely needs to be done?”

“What problems will occur if I don’t do this treatment?”

“Are there any insurance-covered alternatives?”

“Can the treatment be divided into several sessions?”

Keeping these points in mind can reduce the risk of overtreatment for cavities and help you receive appropriate care suited to your oral condition.

Reporter Bae So-yoon <Copyright ⓒ Culture Journal 21. Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

[Source] [Director Kim Yuna’s Health Column] Why does the number of “cavity treatments” differ by dental clinic? Practical tips to avoid overtreatment, too!|Author Korea Economic and Cultural Research Institute