If you don’t like going to the dentist, then one of the likely causes is that you’re afraid of being told that you have cavities. The dentist will want to address any cavities you may have by doing fillings. If you need clarification on cavities and how fillings are done, then keep on reading. Once you see how fillings work, you should feel less anxiety about going to a top dentist in Ashburn or a cosmetic dentist leesburg va.
Cavities explained
A cavity is a hole in your tooth that is created by bacteria. Even after the bacteria has created the hole, it can still be found inside it. So, the cavity must be immediately treated so that it doesn’t worsen and lead to infection. Infection can cause further damage to your teeth, and you may even get a bloodstream infection. Therefore, the decayed tooth has to be thoroughly cleaned.
Why are fillings necessary for cavities?
When you have a tooth with a cavity, the decay can lead to sensitivity which can become more severe over time. This can cause the inner nerves to get exposed, and the integrity of the whole tooth would be at risk. This can lead to further inflammation and infection if left untreated. Therefore, it is essential that your dentist thoroughly removes the decay so that it doesn’t progress. After the decay has been removed, the tooth will have a hole, which can be quite problematic. So, a filling has to be done to fill the hole.
The entire point of filling is to ensure that plaque, food, and bacteria don’t collect in the hole, which can easily cause other health issues and infections. Additionally, the filling will strengthen your tooth, so it doesn’t crack or get chipped easily. Once you have identified a cavity, you must get dental treatment, so the damage doesn’t progress.
Dental fillings
When doing a filling, the dentist will first thoroughly clean the decay from the cavity using a drill. This is important so that the decay process doesn’t continue and damage even more of your tooth. Then, once the decay is removed, they will insert the filling into the hole that is left behind.
Specifics of a filling procedure
The dentist will start by numbing the area around your affected tooth using an anesthetic. This will ensure that your gums and jaw around the tooth with the cavity are numb. Then, they will use a dental drill to get rid of the decay.
Once this is done, they will start preparing your tooth to place the filling in it. Now, the type of filling being used will impact the method of filling your tooth. Some different types of fillings include glass ionomer, composite and silver amalgam.
Types of fillings
The vast majority of dentists currently use composite resin filling. However, some dentists still do fillings using glass ionomer or silver amalgam. Once the dentist has the filling material, they will mold it to be similar to your tooth’s shape. This will help the filling to fit into your tooth so that the structure is well supported. The filling will also help prevent bacteria from entering the tooth as well. The entire point of getting a filling done is to make your tooth stronger, functional, and fully healthy. Therefore, the filling’s quality and your dentist’s skill are both very important if you want to ensure that your tooth looks its best.
