How is tooth decay treated?

There are many different treatments for caries, depending on the extent of tooth decay. If caries is not widespread, then the rotten portion of the tooth is removed by drilling and replaced with fillings made of an alloy of silver, porcelain, gold, or a resin compound. The materials used to make the filling are safe. Special concerns have been raised about silver on a mercury basis, but the American Dental Association, the US Food and Drug Administration and other public health agencies continue to provide support for the safe use of these dental repair materials. Allergy to silver amalgam is rare, as are allergies to other repair minerals.

If tooth decay expands and little tooth structure remains, crowns can be used. If the crown is needed, then the moldy or weakened part of the tooth is removed, the tooth substrate is placed, and then the crown is installed on the rest of the tooth. The crowns are made of gold, porcelain or welded porcelain with metal.

If rotting causes the death of the nerve or pulp of the tooth, then root treatment is performed. In root treatment, the center of the tooth (including the nerve, blood vessels and tissues) is removed with rotting parts of the tooth. Then the root is stuffed after that with the filling material. If needed, a crown can also be attached to the filled tooth.


A number of new caries treatments are in the development stage. An experimental treatment that uses fluorescent light to detect the presence of caries long before it is detected by traditional means, such as an x-ray or dental examination. In many cases, if caries is detected early, it can be stopped or tooth decay repaired.

Researchers are also developing "smart gaskets" to prevent tooth decay by slowly releasing fluoride around the gaskets and adjacent teeth.