Dental Fillings
Composite Fillings
Even with regular brushing, flossing, and routine cleanings, cavities can still occur and fillings may be necessary. For fillings, we usually use tooth-colored composite resin. This material blends in with your natural tooth color, providing an esthetic and conservative treatment option when compared to silver amalgam fillings.
With composite fillings, the decayed area of the tooth is removed, and then adhesive is placed and the composite resin is bonded to the tooth. Composite fillings allow for conservative fillings that help maintain a tooth's longevity.
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For silver fillings, the only thing holding the filling in place is mechanical retention. This means that more tooth structure has to be removed to provide the mechanical retention to hold the filling in place. Since composite resin fillings (tooth-colored fillings), are bonded to the tooth structure with adhesive, only the decayed area of the tooth has to be removed.
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Overall, composite fillings are the less invasive, more esthetic and conservative option.
What Are Cavities?
Cavities (tooth decay) are holes in the teeth that are caused by acid-producing bacteria. These bacteria digest the sugar molecules in your mouth and produce acid, which dissolves the enamel and forms a cavity.
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There are several different factors that contribute to the formation of cavities:
o Oral hygiene – removing plaque/bacteria from teeth can help prevent cavities.
o The amount and type of acid-producing bacteria in your mouth – the more acid-producing bacteria present, the higher the risk of cavities.
o The ability of your saliva to neutralize the acid produced by these bacteria – having a dry mouth can greatly increase the risk of cavities.
o The thickness and hardness of your enamel – the harder and thicker the enamel, the more resistant to tooth decay.
o Exposure to fluoride – fluoride hardens the enamel and makes it more resistant to decay.
o Diet – high-sugar sweets, starchy carbohydrates, and highly acidic/sour drinks/food all contribute to decay or erosion of the enamel. In fact, every time you drink or eat something acidic or starchy, it makes your mouth acidic for 30 minutes!
How Can I Prevent Cavities?
Cavities cannot always be avoided, but there are many actions we can take to help prevent them. It is important to stop the progression of disease. Existing cavities should be treated with fillings or crowns to stop the spread of the disease. Cavities harbor acid-producing bacteria, and a cavity on one tooth may spread to other teeth.
Also, it is important to maintain a healthy cleaning routine at home that includes fluoride. We may recommend a prescription fluoride toothpaste or fluoride gel trays.
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Finally, minimizing exposure to sugar and acid is also a crucial part of cavity prevention at home.
The best treatment is prevention! Schedule a visit today to stay on top of your oral health!