Your Fernie Invisalign® Provider
Repairing Cavities & Tooth Damage
Cavities can develop in your teeth even if you are brushing and flossing regularly. You may even sustain cracks in your teeth from impact or normal wear and tear.
A dental filling can be used to repair cavities and cracks in teeth to help prevent debris from getting caught, causing the damage to get worse.
By detecting and repairing any cavities or cracks early, we can help prevent serious complications such as an infection in the interior of a tooth. This can help reduce the likelihood that you will need a root canal or a tooth extraction.
Common filling materials include composite, silver, porcelain, and amalgam. Your dentist will consider many factors when determining the most suitable filling for you. These include the location of the cavity, the extent of damage to your tooth, and whether you have any allergies to filling materials.
The Dental Filling Procedure
Once your dentist has identified the tooth that requires a filling, they will numb the area with a local anesthetic and then remove the decayed portion of the tooth.
After the damaged parts of the tooth have been removed, your dentist will thoroughly rinse and clean the area. The cavity will then be filled, and your dentist will use a curing light to harden the material quickly.
Finally, the filling will be smoothed out and polished so that it will feel comfortable and natural in your mouth. Fillings can last for many years before they need to be replaced. However, they may need to be replaced sooner if you clench or grind your teeth.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Tooth Decay
Sharp pain or throbbing within a tooth, dark spots, chips, or fractures in teeth are all signs that you might have developed tooth decay. You may also notice your teeth are rough to the touch.
Certain areas of your teeth, such as the grooves in the back of your teeth and areas near existing fillings, are prone to decay so it is important to brush and floss these areas extra carefully to ensure no plaque or debris is left behind.
To minimize your risk of developing tooth decay, you may also need to do more than just brush and floss. You may also want to eat less sugary foods, stop using tobacco products, and drink less alcohol.