Tooth decay can impact smiles of all ages, from kids to adults, and we can offer a safe and gentle solution. With our metal-free dental fillings, we can provide a lifelike and biocompatible treatment to stop discomfort and protect teeth from infection or tooth loss. In today’s blog, your West Allis, WI, dentist talks about stopping cavities with a dental filling.
The Causes (and the Warning Signs) of a Cavity
Our teeth are composed of three main layers. At the center is the pulp, the living tissues that keep your tooth functional. Surrounding this and making up most of the tooth is the sensitive inner dentin. Finally, the protective layer of enamel coats the teeth and safeguards them against decay and injury. But when the enamel is weakened by factors like poor oral hygiene and plaque and tartar buildup, this could expose the dentin to bacteria and allow a cavity to form. You now need treatment to avoid the decay becoming an infection. When you experience sensitivity when you eat or drink, or a toothache that doesn’t subside after a dye or two, then reach out to our team to see if you need a filling.
Treatment with a Filling
Our team will carefully examine your teeth with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can identify the position of the decay and assess the severity. If a filling is the right choice for you, then our team will numb the tooth to ensure you stay comfortable as we remove the decay and clean the tooth. We then prep and place the material. Instead of metal, we often use composite resin, which is biocompatible and safe for all ages. The material can also be shaded to blend with your tooth. Once the material is in place, we will cure it under a light as we sculpt and mold the tooth. Finally, we polish it for a more lifelike appearance!
Protecting Your Smile from Tooth Decay
To help your smile avoid cases of tooth decay, we can recommend a checkup and cleaning every few months so we can watch for the earliest stages of weakening enamel, and also remove all harmful plaque and tartar to keep enamel intact. At home, we urge our patients to brush and floss daily, and cut back on the sugar in their diet. If you have any questions about tooth decay and fillings, then contact our team today.
Ask Our Team About Treating Cavities in One Visit
Our team wants to help you avoid worsening decay or the risk of a dental infection, which is why we can help with a restoration. To schedule an appointment with Stubbs Family Dentistry in West Allis, WI, call our team today at 414-541-8250.
