Unbiased oral health information

Procedures

Prophylactic odontotomy

Talk to your dentist about...

Only a dentist can diagnose or recommend treatment for your specific needs. Web-based research by a patient is no substitute for the extensive training and clinical experience of a dentist—but it can empower you to ask intelligent questions that can result in the best treatment for your unique needs. This page lists some things to keep in mind and offers some suggested questions you can ask your dentist about this topic.

Are the pits and fissures in my (or my child's) teeth deep and narrow enough to require treatment?

Would prophylactic odontotomy be an option for treating them?

How many teeth would need to be treated?

What are the options to prophylactic odontotomy? What could go wrong? If the prophylactic odontotomy procedure extends into the dentin layer of the tooth, the dentist may recommend a filling, which may necessitate anesthetizing the tooth.