The Difference Between Filling and Capping Cavities, and When Implants Are Needed (Cavity Treatment Methods)

The difference between filling and capping

Cavity treatment methods

When implants are needed

When people hear about cavity treatment, most

tend to think the treatments are similar.

But in reality, the treatment method changes greatly

depending on the depth and extent of the cavity.

If it is an early cavity, it may be treated simply with a resin filling,

but if the cavity becomes deeper, root canal treatment and crown treatment may be needed,

and in more severe cases, it can even lead to extraction followed by an implant.

The problem is that many people do not detect cavities early

and only visit the dentist after the symptoms have worsened, right?

Before treatment starts to feel vaguely scary and inconvenient,

if you know the differences between each treatment method in advance,

you can choose treatment more wisely.

In this post,

cavity filling

cavity capping

cavity implant

I will explain the differences between these three treatment methods one by one!

About cavity filling

If the cavity is not extensive

and has not progressed to the tooth nerve,

it can be treated by simply removing the decayed area

and filling it with a material.

Typical treatment methods include

resin

inlay

onlay

In the past, GI and amalgam materials were also widely used,

but GI has low strength,

and amalgam contains mercury,

so at present, the more aesthetic and safer

resin treatment is used more often.

Resin treatment is used not only for cavity treatment but also for various other cases such as

minor cracks in front teeth

replacement of amalgam

improving small gaps between front teeth

and more.

If the cavity is slightly more extensive,

it may be precisely restored with methods such as

inlays or onlays.

About cavity capping

If the cavity has progressed significantly

and affected the tooth’s internal nerve,

a simple filling method is not suitable for cavity treatment.

In this case, root canal treatment is performed first,

and then crown treatment is needed to protect the entire tooth.

This is commonly called

cavity treatment capping.

Crown treatment uses various materials such as

zirconia

gold

ceramic

to cover and protect the damaged tooth as a whole.

This treatment does not simply fill an empty space;

it restores the tooth’s structure and function,

so it is especially often performed on molars, where chewing function is important.

Crown treatment is also used in various situations such as

deep cavities

tooth fractures

microdontia

improving the gap between front teeth

and more.

About cavity implants

If the cavity is so deep

that it is difficult to preserve the tooth,

extraction followed by implant treatment may eventually be necessary.

If a cavity is left untreated for a long time,

the tooth structure can be significantly damaged,

the remaining tooth tissue can become insufficient,

and tooth strength can weaken,

making it impossible to maintain the tooth even with crown treatment.

In such cases,

the missing tooth is replaced with an artificial tooth through implant treatment.

An implant works by placing an artificial root into the jawbone

and then connecting a prosthesis on top of it,

which can restore function similar to that of a natural tooth.

The most important thing in cavity treatment

In cavity treatment, more important than the treatment method itself

is an accurate diagnosis.

Even if the extent of the cavity is checked through an X-ray,

patients often find it difficult to accurately understand

the depth or condition of the cavity.

Therefore, when making a treatment plan,

an accurate diagnosis

medical staff who recommend only the treatments that are necessary

a systematic treatment plan

these three things are very important.

Gangnam Saero Dental Clinic

avoids unnecessary overtreatment

and provides reliable care by establishing a treatment plan suited to the patient’s condition.

In addition to cavity treatment implants,

full-mouth implants

diabetic implants

osteoporosis implants

hypertension implants

PRF implants

salmon injection implants

independent bone grafting (i-GBR)

and various other implant treatments are available.

In addition, through the care of Dr. Jeong Jae-wook, the chief director and prosthodontic specialist, who has experience leading a Ministry of Health and Welfare designated implant-specialized hospital,

you can experience more stable treatment.

If you are concerned about your dental health,

please check through a consultation now.

A new smile

A new beginning

• This post is provided as medical information presented by a medical institution due to a third-party contractual relationship.