When you have a cavity, you have an issue that can lead to toothaches and sensitivity, and over time, an increased risk of infection and even tooth loss. Our team can offer relief with a dental filling, which treats the cavity in one visit and offers natural-looking results. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about our dental fillings.
The Causes and Warning Signs of a Cavity
What causes a cavity to form? Cavities occur when harmful oral bacteria reach the inner dentin, the sensitive structure that makes up most of your tooth. This could happen when the enamel is compromised and eroded, which is possible due to serious plaque and tartar buildup, poor brushing and flossing habits, and a diet high in sugar and starch. If you attend checkups every six months with our team, then we will be able to catch cavities in the earliest stages. Otherwise, you may not realize you need treatment until your tooth feels sensitive when you eat or speak, or if a toothache develops that doesn’t subside after a day or two.
The Dangers of Untreated Tooth Decay
When you develop a cavity, we want to treat it with a filling to stop discomfort and also save your tooth! Without treatment, cavities will increase in severity with time, which could eventually cause an infection. When a tooth is infected the pain levels increase and you risk the tooth requiring extraction to avoid the spread of infection to other parts of your smile. Treating the decay in one visit with a restoration can help you avoid the risk of worsening pain and tooth loss.
Our Composite Resin Dental Fillings
Our team uses a metal-free material known as composite resin in our fillings, a material that is safe for people of all ages. The material can be color matched to blend with your tooth. In fact, we often use the same material in our bonding treatments to mask cosmetic imperfections! The placement involves our team numbing the tooth and then removing decay. We clean the tooth and apply the composite resin in several layers. Our team next sculpts and molds the tooth while the composite resin cures under a light. The last step is to polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. In one visit, our team can treat the cavity with a filling to offer relief from discomfort and prevent the onset of an infection.
If you have any questions, give our team a call!
Treat Your Cavity With Dental Impressions
Our team wants to stop your toothache and protect your smile from the onset of an infected tooth. To find out more about our approach to treating cavities, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
