Hesperian Health Guides
Which Treatment to Use
You can treat a cavity instead of taking out the tooth if the tooth does not have an abscess (an infection in the root). There is probably not yet an abscess if:
- there is no swelling of the face or gums near the bad tooth.
- the tooth hurts only once in a while—for example, if it hurts only when eating or drinking something cold or sweet, or when breathing cold air.
- the tooth feels the same as the others when you tap it gently.
Did that hurt?
Only a little.
These signs mean the decay is deep enough for the nerve to feel temperature changes, but not deep enough for the nerve to be infected. You can save the tooth by treating the cavity as soon as possible. To treat a cavity, you can:
- put silver diamine fluoride (SDF) directly on the cavity to stop decay and damage to the tooth.
- place a temporary (cement) filling meant to last only a few months. This helps the person feel more comfortable until they can get a permanent filling.
- place a permanent filling meant to last for many years. A permanent filling is done by a trained dental worker using either Atraumatic Restorative Treatment or a dental drill and a combination of materials called amalgam or composite.
Which treatment you use depends on several things:
- Is the cavity on a baby tooth or a permanent tooth?
- Where on the tooth is the cavity?
- How deep and severe is the cavity?
This page was updated:03 Oct 2025