Tooth Cavity Treatment in Kolkata: Filling, Root Canal or Crown?

A small cavity needs a simple filling; a deep one may need a root canal and crown. Learn the stages of tooth decay, the warning signs, and which treatment each stage needs.

Overview

Tooth decay is one of the most common dental problems, and it is far easier and cheaper to treat early. A cavity does not heal on its own once it has broken through the enamel, but caught in time it can usually be repaired with a simple, tooth-coloured filling. The longer it is left, the more of the tooth is affected and the more treatment it needs.

The stages of tooth decay

1. Early enamel damage: chalky white spots appear where minerals are being lost. At this stage the damage can sometimes be reversed with fluoride, better brushing and diet changes.

2. Enamel cavity: a small hole forms. It may cause no symptoms at all, which is why regular check-ups matter.

3. Dentine decay: decay reaches the softer layer under the enamel and spreads faster. You may notice sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold foods.

4. Pulp involvement: decay reaches the nerve. Pain becomes stronger, may linger, and can wake you at night.

5. Abscess: infection spreads to the tip of the root, causing swelling, throbbing pain and sometimes a pimple on the gum.

Warning signs of a cavity

Sensitivity to sweets, cold or hot drinks; a visible hole, dark spot or rough edge; food catching between teeth; pain when biting; or a lingering toothache. Some cavities cause no symptoms until they are quite deep, so a dental check-up and X-ray are the reliable way to find them.

Treatment for each stage

Fillings: for small and moderate cavities, the decay is removed and the tooth is restored with a tooth-coloured fillings (composite) that matches your natural shade.

Inlays, onlays and crowns: when a large part of the tooth is lost, a stronger restoration protects what remains. We offer same-day CEREC crowns, and zirconia crowns start from ₹9,500.

Root canal treatment: when decay reaches the nerve, a root canal removes the infected pulp and saves the tooth. At our clinic it costs ₹5,000 to ₹7,000; read more about root canal treatment cost in Kolkata and why modern painless root canal treatment is comfortable.

Extraction: only when a tooth cannot be saved. We always explore options to keep your natural tooth first.

Cavity in a wisdom tooth

Wisdom teeth are hard to reach, so they decay easily, and a cavity there can also damage the molar in front. Sometimes a wisdom tooth cavity can be filled; often, if the tooth is badly placed or hard to clean, removing it is the better long-term choice. Read our guide to wisdom tooth extraction in Kolkata to understand when that is recommended.

Cavity pain or wisdom tooth pain?

Cavity pain is usually triggered by sweet, hot or cold food and comes from one specific tooth. Pain from an erupting or infected wisdom tooth tends to be at the very back of the jaw, with swollen gum, difficulty opening wide and sometimes a bad taste. Both deserve a dental check, because the treatment is different.

How to prevent cavities

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals, and have regular check-ups and professional cleaning. Acidic foods and drinks can also wear the enamel; see our article on enamel erosion.

Frequently asked questions

Does getting a filling hurt? The tooth is numbed with local anaesthesia, so you should feel little more than pressure.

How long do tooth-coloured fillings last? Often many years with good care and regular check-ups.

Can a cavity go away on its own? Only very early enamel damage can be reversed. Once a hole has formed, it needs treatment.

Think you have a cavity? book a consultation at Park Street, Salt Lake or New Alipore, or call +91 78900 08331.