Should a Rotten Cavity in a Big Tooth Be Extracted?

Whether a decayed tooth with a hole needs to be extracted depends on the severity of the condition, which requires comprehensive consideration. Here are two scenarios:

1. When Extraction is Not Necessary

A decayed tooth with a hole can be caused by poor oral hygiene, leading to excessive reproduction of dental plaque, or by severe trauma to the tooth. If the hole is not large and there are no symptoms such as pain, gingival swelling, or redness, it can be treated through amalgam filling or direct bonding restoration with composite resin, and extraction is generally not necessary.

2. When Extraction is Necessary

If the decayed tooth with a hole is severe, manifesting symptoms such as food impaction, changes in gingival color, pain, and swelling, timely extraction is necessary to prevent damage to the tooth nerve and maintain normal chewing function. After extraction, oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin granules, levofloxacin tablets, and cefixime can be prescribed to prevent inflammation at the wound site. Oral medication can be combined with rinsing the mouth with physiological sodium chloride solution. Additionally, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene, undergo regular dental check-ups, and inform the dentist promptly of any abnormalities to monitor the recovery of the wound.