Are you one of the many who fear going to the dentist’s office because of those words no one wants to hear? You know those two words, “you have a cavity.” Well, if so, you aren’t alone. No one wants to have a cavity. Everyone wants to avoid having to go through the process of filling it out. However, despite knowing you have a cavity, you might need to be fully aware of what it means to have one. By the end of this article, you should know much more about cavities and what’s done to fix them with a filling. The more you know, the less anxious you will likely be when you hear those unfortunate words. Avoiding cavities is easiest when going to a dentist every six months. If you are having trouble finding a dentist, it’s best to search for teeth cleaning near me.
What Exactly Is a Cavity?
When you have a dental cavity, you have somewhat of a hole in your tooth. Bacteria left behind the hole on your tooth. When you have bacteria on your tooth, it can erode your tooth’s structure and destroy part of it. Within the cavity, you not only have a ruined tooth, but the bacteria remain. Thus, when you don’t treat a cavity in time, it can cause even more of an infection. Unfortunately, the infection can then spread and cause more damage to the tooth’s structure. Even worse, it can get into the bloodstream and cause infection. As a result, the tooth would need to be removed; if you want to get a cavity filled, go to a dentist in Leesburg.
Reasons You Need To Fix A Dental Cavity
The resulting decay from the cavity will cause your tooth to get ultra-sensitive as the infection continues to spread. It’s very likely to expose the inner nerves of your tooth and even compromise its structural integrity. In addition, it’s likely to continue to get inflamed because of it. As a result, the dentist needs to get rid of the decay as quickly as possible to prevent the infection from spreading. Once it’s effectively removed, there will be a subsequent hole that needs filling. This is where a filling comes into play.
A filling will “fill” the hole in the tooth. This can keep it from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque. If you didn’t get it filled, it would lead to bacteria buildup and cause significant infections. Another thing a filling will do is add more structural integrity to the tooth. Because the tooth lost some of its structure, having a filling can help boost the tooth’s strength to keep it from cracking. It’s important to have your cavities taken care of whenever they are spotted. This can keep your tooth from getting worse over time. The longer you wait, the more damage is likely to be done to your tooth.
What’s The Filling Procedure Like?
During the filling procedure, the dentist will go ahead and remove any tooth decay. They will do this using a drill. Removing the decay is essential to minimize further damage to the healthy part of the tooth. From there, the dental professional will place filling into the hole to replace the part that was damaged effectively.
What Are The Steps For Getting A Dental Filling?
At first, the dentist will look to administer local anesthetic to the infected area. This area will be numbed to minimize pain and discomfort during the drilling process. Next, it will numb everything from the gums to the jaw and even the nearby teeth. The dentist will then proceed to drill the decayed portion of the tooth.
Once the decay is removed, the tooth will be prepped for the filling. There are different methods for filling a tooth based on the material used. You have different fillings, including composite, glass ionomer, and even silver amalgam.
What Different Kinds Of Fillings Are Available?
The majority of dentists nowadays will use composite resin. This is the preferred material because it looks most like a tooth and is also one of the safest options available. However, a lot of dentists still use glass ionomer and silver amalgam fillings. The filling is molded to fit and match the shape of your natural tooth. This will ensure that your tooth is restored correctly and that your bite is unchanged. It also keeps your tooth from getting further infected. The overall purpose of the filling is to restore the natural function of your tooth. This is why it’s so important to go to a professional dentist that is experienced in dental fillings to get the best work possible.
