Technological advancements mean that dentists now have an even better idea of what your Coke and Snickers bar addictions are doing to your teeth. That seems like great news, but it actually has some people worried — and not just because it makes it harder to avoid the dentist’s disapproving looks. Some people are getting fillings in spots that just have the potential of developing into cavities, even though many dentists believe the treatment is pointless, or even harmful.
The New York Times reports that dentists can now detect when patients develop “incipient carious lesions,” which some dentists have termed “microcavities.” This is the first stage of damage to the tooth enamel, and the minerals found in saliva may be able to patch up the spot, particularly if you use products that contain fluoride. A recent study found 63 percent of the 500 dentists questioned drill and fill in microcavities, but some experts say it’s better to wait until it develops into an actual cavity, which involves decay of the layer below the enamel. Dr. James Bader, a research professor at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, says he recommends “watchful waiting.” He prefers to leave the spot and examine it again at the patient’s next checkup because once you drill out a tooth, “you’re condemning that person to refilling” in the future.