Cavities in your teeth can create a lot of pain and discomfort. But what if you can’t afford a dentist? As a cavity grows, your tooth can become infected, and eventually the living tissue inside your tooth will die. You won’t feel pain anymore. But a dead tooth creates problems of its own. Is it possible to safely and effectively fill your own cavities?
Although you can buy over-the-counter products and fill your own cavities much cheaper than your dentist will, simply filling your tooth isn’t enough. The tooth itself needs to be properly cared for to clear away any infection and protect it from future damage.
So what will a dentist do that you can’t?
5 Phases of Restoring a Tooth from a Cavity
- Prepare the area around the tooth – Your dentist will numb the area around the tooth to prevent you from feeling any pain.
- Remove decay – Bacteria leads to tooth decay that can penetrate deeply. Your dentist will remove all of the decay—even if it’s deep within your tooth.
- Clean the inside of your tooth – Your dentist will clean and sanitize your tooth with solutions that are safe for oral use.
- Filling the cavity – After drying your tooth, your dentist will apply layers of tooth-colored composite to build up the tooth.
- Check the filling for proper bite – Your dentist will shape, smooth, and polish the filling to ensure it is comfortable when you bite and chew.
An Affordable Way to Get a Cavity Filled
Deep decay can require root canal treatment
Although you can fill your own cavity at a lower cost than your dentist will charge, it’s not the best solution. Without cleaning out an infection and sanitizing the tooth, you’re only sealing the damage inside. An advanced cavity will lead to an infection that requires root canal treatment.
Cheap fillings will eventually dislodge, and you’ll need help from a dentist anyway. The longer you wait, the more costly the resolution will become.
You can call a few dental offices in your area and ask about payment plans or how treatment can be made affordable for you. If you have a cavity that needs to be filled, please, don’t do it yourself.
This post is sponsored by Ahwatukee, Phoenix female dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur of Kokopelli Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.