Cavity in Side of Tooth Near Gums, filling or crown?

[Red_tooth]

Hi! I went to a new dentist. He found dark spots on the x-ray indicating a cavity in the side of a tooth, near the gums. He gave me a choice of doing a cavity filling type procedure, where he would remove a part of the tooth so he could access the cavity, and then patch it up. The second option would be to get a crown. He recommended the crown, saying that would be better in the long run. He wasn’t sure how long the filling repair would last and grip to the tooth. He also mentioned that cavities on the side under the gums would typically be better to get a crown.

Any thoughts? There do appear to be two cavities already on that tooth. I have had bad luck with dentists in the past trying to do more work than required. My last dentist told me the black spots on my teeth were cavities. This new dentist says the black spots are stains only. So that is a relief.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dr M]

Do you have any x-rays that you could share?

 

[Red_tooth]

Do you have any x-rays that you could share?

I don’t sorry, is that something I should ask the dentist for?

 

[Dr M]

You can ask the dentist for copies of your x-rays yes.

 

[Red_tooth]

Do you have any x-rays that you could share?

How do you post photos?

 

[Red_tooth]

 

[Red_tooth]

You can ask the dentist for copies of your x-rays yes.

I posted them below

 

[Dr M]

Do you only have a filling on that tooth and not a crown? Almost looks like a crown on the x-ray provided.

 

[Red_tooth]

Do you only have a filling on that tooth and not a crown? Almost looks like a crown on the x-ray provided.

Actually, I think that’s the wrong x-ray, I think it’s this one, bottom tooth. They sent two x-rays.

 

[Red_tooth]

Actually, I think that’s the wrong x-ray, I think it’s this one, bottom tooth. They sent two x-rays. View attachment 6854

The bottom tooth, they want to do a cavity or crown because of the dark spots on the x-ray.

 

[Dr M]

Difficult to say. This could also just be cervical burnout on the x-ray. You can google examples of this. I would start with a normal first. Drill until you reach the area in question and if decay is spotted, you could perhaps consider a crown at that stage.

 

[Red_tooth]

Difficult to say. This could also just be cervical burnout on the x-ray. You can google examples of this. I would start with a normal first. Drill until you reach the area in question and if decay is spotted, you could perhaps consider a crown at that stage.

Unfortunately, the dentist asks you what you want to do ahead of time. The dentist claims that the crown would be a more permanent solution. If I choose to do a filling for the cavity, it may or may not hold as well the crown for a cavity that is located on the side of the tooth see the gums.

 

[dentalexplorer123]

One possible approach is to drill the decayed area and employ a base liner method. In this scenario, Biodentine could be used to protect the pulp, given that the decay is near the pulp chamber. Once the Biodentine has been applied, the cavity can then be sealed using composite resin. By utilising a 2-layered or 3-layered base liner approach with GIC or/and Biodentine, and composite resin, you can create a strong, long-lasting dental restoration while minimising the risk of complications such as sensitivity or microleakage, and avoiding root canal.