A previous filling or crown has come loose or broken, leaving the underlying tooth exposed and at risk for decay and fracture.
What typically happens with each treatment choice over time, based on clinical evidence — not individual cases.
Exposed tooth structure is prone to rapid secondary decay.
What it means: Rapid secondary decay and sensitivity.
Successful restoration with no decay progression in most cases.
What it means: Tooth preserved; normal function restored.
Good restoration longevity with some re-treatment expected over a decade.
What it means: ~20% may require re-treatment by 10 years.
Public outcomes are shown only where the direction is supported by high-tier evidence — Cochrane systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses. We report the untreated ("do nothing") branch alongside active treatment. Each figure is an evidence-informed, directional estimate consistent with the peer-reviewed literature and professional-body guidance (Cochrane Oral Health, ADA, AAE, AAP, AAOMS) — not a number quoted from one specific study — and is reviewed by our Benchmark Council. Estimates are population-level and may not apply to your individual case.