A cavity doesn’t just cause a toothache. Without treatment, this could actually lead to a painful infection and the risk of a lost tooth. To prevent these complications and save your tooth, you need a restoration. In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist talks about placing fillings to save your tooth.
The Risks of Tooth Decay
When is a smile at risk for tooth decay? Cavities develop in the soft dentin beneath the outer enamel. Poor oral hygiene habits, such as infrequent or improper brushing and flossing and a diet high in sugar, can create plaque buildup that coats the teeth and weakens the outer enamel. This makes cavities possible. Injuries to the teeth and bruxism could be a factor too. Warning signs include tooth sensitivity and toothaches, which is why you should see us right away when you or a member of your family report aching teeth. Our team can treat cavities with our lifelike dental fillings.
Our Composite Resin Fillings
Instead of using metal, such as amalgam, silver, or gold, we opt for composite resin. A blend of acrylic-like and quartz-like particles, these are metal-free and safe for people of all ages. These can be shaded to blend with the surrounding tooth structure and offer a lifelike appearance. We also use the same material in our dental bonding procedures, in which we repair damaged teeth and mask cosmetic imperfections like teeth stains and misshape teeth. The entire placement process only takes one visit to complete!
Placement and Preventive Actions
To begin, we will administer a local anesthesia to numb the tooth as we gently remove all decay and clean the tooth. We may etch the surfaces as well. Our team will then apply the material in several layers, and sculpt the tooth as the composite resin cures beneath a special light. The last step is to polish the tooth for a brighter appearance and a smoother finish. This helps prevent the onset of an infected or abscessed tooth, preserving your smile and preventing further discomfort too. Our team will also suggest changes to your daily life to limit the risk of tooth decay, such as daily brushing and flossing. You also help by cutting back on your consumption of sugar and by seeing us for a checkup and cleaning every six months.
If you have any questions about how our team places dental fillings to treat tooth decay, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO YOUR ROCHESTER, MN DENTIST ABOUT RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
Our team wants to help save your tooth from untreated decay and infection. If you would like to find more about our approach to family dentistry, or if you wish to book an appointment at our location, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
