When a cavity forms in your smile, or your child’s smile, then treatment is crucial for avoiding infection and worsening pain. Instead of a metal restoration, our team will place a natural-looking dental filling. In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist discusses our composite resin dental filling.
The Causes of a Cavity
First, let’s talk about tooth decay which impacts every member of your family regardless of age. Tooth decay forms when harmful oral bacteria make contact with the sensitive inner tooth structure, the dentin usually protected by the enamel. This could happen due to plaque buildup, which weakens and erodes enamel. Plaque itself occurs when bacteria consume sugar and starch particles, and people don’t brush and floss thoroughly enough to remove these stray particles. Plaque also leads to bad breath, teeth stains, and even poor gum health. Injury or teeth grinding could also expose the dentin to bacteria. When cavities form, the decay will grow and spread until your teeth ache or feel sensitive you eat or drink. Don’t ignore these symptoms, let us know so we can save your tooth with a filling.
Placing a Dental Filling
The process of placing a dental restoration only takes one visit to complete. To get started, our team will gently numb the tooth with a local anesthetic so you’re comfortable as we remove all decay and clean the tooth. We then apply the restorative material to the tooth and sculpt the tooth as the composite resin cures beneath a special light. We then polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. In only one visit, we halt the decay to stop discomfort and also prevent complications, such as dental infection and in extreme cases, the loss of your tooth.
Composite Resin
Instead of metal, our team creates fillings using a composite resin, which combines acrylic-like and quartz-like particles for a metal-free option. The material is safe for all ages, from babies and toddlers to adults and seniors. The material can be shaded to blend with the tooth and ensure your restoration looks natural and blends with the rest of your smile. The same material can be used in dental bonding procedures to address minor damage and correct cosmetic concerns, like misshapen teeth or permanent teeth stains.
If you have any questions about how we place a filling, or if you have an aching tooth that needs attention, then contact our team today.
TALK TO YOUR ROCHESTER, MN DENTIST ABOUT DENTAL RESTORATIONS
Our team is here to help you enjoy relief from your aching teeth. If you would like to find out more about treating tooth decay, or if you wish to book an appointment at our location, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
