Can a Painless Cavity Be Left Untreated? / Types and Costs of Cavity Treatment / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

Hello, this is Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic😊

These days, slow-aging diets and primarily plant-based eating habits

are becoming popular.

At the same time, there are also

so many delicious and varied desserts.

Children, in particular, are frequently exposed to

sweet, salty, and spicy foods as they grow,

and if their oral hygiene is not properly managed,

they can be in an environment where cavities are more likely to develop.

The same applies to adults.

Many people visit us for another treatment,

only to discover that they have a cavity,

or notice visible decay but put off their visit

because they do not have any particular pain.

“There is no pain,

so I’ll get it treated later!”

Is that really okay?

Today, we will look at

treatment methods and costs according to

the progression of cavities.

Can a Painless Cavity Be Left Untreated? / Types and Costs of Cavity Treatment / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

Cavity Progression and Treatment Methods

Cavities develop when

food debris left behind after eating

combines with bacteria in the mouth

and is broken down, producing acid

that damages the tooth enamel.

Cavities can generally be divided

into three stages according to their progression.

Can a Painless Cavity Be Left Untreated? / Types and Costs of Cavity Treatment / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

1st Stage: Early Stage

In the early stage,

the cavity has progressed only as far as the enamel,

which is the hardest part of the tooth.

Because the enamel is an area

where pain is not usually felt,

a cavity may go unnoticed

unless it is found visually.

Can a Painless Cavity Be Left Untreated? / Types and Costs of Cavity Treatment / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

🔻

Early cavities that are shallow and small

are treated with tooth-colored composite resin.

Since the treatment usually causes little discomfort,

it can be performed without anesthesia

and completed naturally in a short time.

The cost is generally

around KRW 100,000–200,000,

depending on the extent of the cavity.

2nd Stage: Middle Stage

When the cavity progresses beyond

the enamel and reaches the dentin

inside the tooth,

it is considered the middle stage.

From this point,

you may feel slight sensitivity

or pain when eating.

That is why many patients

usually visit the dentist

starting at the middle stage.

🔻

At this stage, treatment is performed

with a precise, biocompatible inlay.

The cost of an inlay varies

depending on whether it is tooth-colored or gold,

and is generally around

KRW 250,000–400,000.

Can a Painless Cavity Be Left Untreated? / Types and Costs of Cavity Treatment / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

3rd Stage: Advanced Stage

This is when the cavity has progressed extensively

and may affect not only the nerve

but also the surrounding teeth.

At this stage,

you may experience severe toothache

even without external stimulation.

🔻

Because the cavity is extensive,

the decay is removed and root canal treatment is performed.

The tooth is then shaped

and covered with a crown

that protects the entire tooth.

The cost of a crown varies

depending on whether it is for a front tooth or molar

and on the material used,

but is generally around

KRW 500,000–700,000.

Can a Painless Cavity Be Left Untreated? / Types and Costs of Cavity Treatment / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

Root Canal Treatment, Extraction,

and Even Implants

If a cavity has progressed so deeply

that it can no longer be treated even with a crown,

it may damage the nerve tissue and roots,

potentially leading from root canal treatment

to extraction.

From this point,

root canal treatment and implant treatment

after extraction are performed together.

Can a Painless Cavity Be Left Untreated? / Types and Costs of Cavity Treatment / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

I Have a Cavity in My Front Tooth!

This patient visited us

after noticing that

the area between the front teeth

looked darker than the other teeth,

even though there was no pain.

It was not very noticeable from the front,

but decay was clearly visible

on the inner surface.

Can a Painless Cavity Be Left Untreated? / Types and Costs of Cavity Treatment / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

Cavities can sometimes progress deeply inward

rather than appearing severe on the outside,

so the treatment method is determined

through an examination.

Fortunately, this was determined to be

an early-stage cavity,

so resin treatment was performed.

When a cavity develops in a front tooth,

treatment may take longer

because appearance is an important consideration.

When a cavity develops

on the adjacent surfaces between teeth,

both teeth are treated.

Can a Painless Cavity Be Left Untreated? / Types and Costs of Cavity Treatment / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

After the cavity was filled

with tooth-colored resin,

the tooth looked clean and natural again.

In the early stage of a cavity,

there is often little or no pain,

so it is easy to overlook.

If you have started to feel pain,

it may mean that the cavity has already progressed

to the middle stage.

If it is left untreated,

the scope and cost of treatment may increase.

Therefore, to prevent cavities,

it is best to have regular oral examinations

so they can be detected early.

If you have any other questions,

please leave a comment!

Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

Integrated Front Tooth Treatment, Newtis

We provide integrated front tooth treatment,

including spot treatment, gum grafting, tooth shaping,

gum reshaping, tooth whitening, gum whitening,

front-tooth resin treatment, orthodontics,

and Newtis Lami.

Previous image Next image