Cavities

[imafraid]

I have paranoid mental problems and dentistry is one of my fears. I have not been to the dentist in 30 years, i'm missing a few teeth and have a couple cavities. How bad does a cavity have to be before it has to be pulled ? and should i worry about the cleaning uncovering infection ? i read this is something that could happen. Also the teeth that i'm missing are in the back and the bottoms of the tooth are still in there, what will they do about that ? I'm just really worried and would like to know what i am getting into.

 

[Gordon]

How bad does a cavity have to be before it has to be pulled ?

Depends on where it is and how big it is. Can't really answer beyond that, sorry.

and should i worry about the cleaning uncovering infection ? i read this is something that could happen.

No, that doesn't happen, where did you read that?

Also the teeth that i'm missing are in the back and the bottoms of the tooth are still in there, what will they do about that ?

Remove the bits of roots that are still in there.

 

[imafraid]

Thank you for the reply.

"No, that doesn't happen, where did you read that?" <-- i found it on the google, i guess i was wrong

"Remove the bits of roots that are still in there." <-- i was afraid of that

 

[imafraid]

Well the fact it won't "uncover" and infection helps a bit

 

[imafraid]

Another question i have, if they clean out cavities will that make it more susceptible to infection where stuff like food will now be able to get in deep ?

 

[Gordon]

Remove the bits of roots that are still in there." <-- i was afraid of that

Any specific reason for that? Removing roots is pretty easy for the dentist (and the patient), much simpler than people seem to build it up to be

Another question i have, if they clean out cavities will that make it more susceptible to infection where stuff like food will now be able to get in deep ?

Well no, modern fillings are completely bonded into the tooth so nothing can get past them.

 

[imafraid]

@Gordon I'm just really terrified of surgery I never had one.

Modern fillings are good, but do they not clean the cavities until they do a filling or will they clean it out first at the cleaning ? And then I will need to get fillings which will take some time ?

 

[Gordon]

You're talking about 2 different things.

Cleaning is removing plaque and calculus from teeth. This usually done first for 2 reasons, firstly sometimes there is more decay hidden by the calculus and secondly because it's easier to do fillings when the gums are healthy, removing plaque etc will make the gums healthier.

During a filling they are removing the decay (which is a mix of bacteria and damaged tooth substance) before filling up the holes. So, it does take a bit longer. Normally this is done after the cleanings are finished.

 

[imafraid]

@Gordon Ok that makes sense, ty. so the cleaning basically leaves alone the cavities, and that cleaning is saved for when you fill it if I understand correctly.

 

[Gordon]

Yes, you got it.