Repairing Your Smile After Decay

In a recent blog, we discussed how you can prevent cavities. However, these can still occur even with the best of preventive care. If you develop decay, it is important to have this treated as soon as possible to intercept the cavity promptly. Gentle Smiles Family Dentistry in Dallas, TX, can help you take care of a cavity with fillings. This can help save your teeth and avoid more invasive restorations in the future.

Why Fillings Are Necessary

Your enamel is one of the strongest parts of our bodies, and its main purpose is to protect against decay. Unfortunately, when it is damaged, it is impossible to replace. If this is worn away due to tooth decay, grinding of the teeth, overuse of fluoride, or other problems, it is important to use other means to protect your pearly whites. For instance, when a cavity has formed, your dentist will use a filling to repair the area. The material used fills the hole left by the decay and protects the tooth from further damage. If the damaged part of the tooth were removed but left without a protective barrier, there is a chance the area could become infected, or another cavity could occur.

The Material Used For This Restoration

There are several options for materials to fill your cavity. Gold or silver amalgam used to be popular choices, but over time these can pose problems. These metal fillings are found to be less durable, more apparent when you smile, and uncomfortable as they fluctuate with temperature. In our office, we prefer composite resin. This material is highly durable, can match the shade of your smile, and bonds easily to your teeth. As a result, less of your tooth needs to be drilled before placing the material and it can be used on almost any tooth.

If You Do Not Repair A Cavity

When decay is left untreated, it will continue to progress deeper into your tooth. Eventually, it can wear away your dentin and enter the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. At this point, the area can become highly sensitive and may cause pain. Once the cavity has entered the pulp, a filling will not be able to repair the area. Instead, root canal treatment will be necessary. This is a more invasive restoration that involves removing the damaged pulp, filling the area, and sealing it with a crown. In more severe cases of infection, it may be preferred to remove the entire tooth instead.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Fillings can repair your smile and prevent the need for more invasive treatments, such as root canals or extractions, in the future. To schedule this restoration, call Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX today at 972-329-7645.