What Happens If You Ignore a Cavity?

What happens if you ignore a cavity and don’t get it treated? A small cavity may not stay small. In this video, Dr. John Ku of W Plus Dental in Washington, DC uses a real patient’s dental X-rays to show how an untreated cavity progressed over just 10 months and eventually became too large to treat with a simple dental filling.

When this patient first came to our office, we discovered a small cavity and recommended treating the tooth with a filling. The patient decided not to treat the cavity at that time. Four months later, the cavity had grown, but a filling was still an option; however, the patient again decided to postpone treatment.

By approximately 10 months after the cavity was first diagnosed, the decay had progressed significantly. What began as a small cavity had developed into extensive damage to the tooth. At that point, a dental filling was no longer an appropriate treatment option, and the tooth ultimately required extraction and replacement with a dental implant.

Can Cavities Get Worse If You Don’t Treat Them?

Yes. Cavities do not heal on their own once decay has progressed into the tooth. Tooth decay can continue to get larger and deeper over time.

An untreated cavity may eventually lead to:

• A larger cavity
• Tooth sensitivity
• Tooth pain or toothache
• A larger dental filling
• The need for a dental crown
• Infection or damage to the dental nerve
• Root canal treatment
• Tooth extraction
• Replacement with a dental implant

This case is a perfect example of why early cavity treatment is so important.

Treating a small cavity with a filling is typically much simpler and less expensive than waiting until the tooth is severely damaged and requires more extensive treatment.

What Happens If You Leave a Cavity Untreated?

Cavities are caused by tooth decay, and once a cavity forms, it generally does not repair itself. Without treatment, decay can continue deeper into the tooth and may eventually involve more of the tooth structure or the nerve.

Depending on how far the cavity progresses, treatment may change from:

🦷 Small cavity → Dental filling
🦷 Larger cavity → Dental crown or other restorative treatment
🦷 Decay reaching the nerve → Root canal treatment
🦷 Severely damaged or non-restorable tooth → Tooth extraction and replacement

Do Cavities Get Bigger Over Time?

Yes. An untreated cavity can continue to grow as tooth decay destroys more of the tooth.

How Fast Can a Cavity Grow?

Every patient and every cavity is different, but cavities can sometimes progress surprisingly quickly. In this patient's case, the X-rays showing the progression of the cavity were taken only 10 months apart.

That is why routine dental exams, dental X-rays, and professional teeth cleanings are important. Cavities do not always hurt when they are small, which means you may have tooth decay without realizing it. Finding and treating cavities early gives your dentist the best opportunity to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible.

The main takeaway from this case: treat a cavity while it is still small. A small cavity may only require a simple filling. Waiting until the decay becomes much larger can lead to more extensive treatment and, in some cases, the loss of the tooth.

At W Plus Dental, Dr. John Ku and our dental team provide comprehensive care for cavities, tooth decay, dental fillings, dental crowns, dental implants, tooth extractions, preventive dentistry, and restorative dentistry.

Schedule an appointment with W Plus Dental in Washington, DC to have your teeth evaluated and discuss the appropriate treatment for your smile.