What are Dental Fillings?
In order to maintain a healthy smile and healthy teeth, you must maintain good oral hygiene. This involves things like brushing twice a day, flossing, limiting consumption of sugary foods and drinks, and avoiding tobacco products. Regular dental checkups should also be a part of any good dental care regimen, as well as professional teeth cleanings, and prompt medical care when something goes wrong.
Cavities are a frequent issue seen by dentists. Cavities are holes in teeth caused by bacteria that has been sitting on the surfaces of teeth for a long period of time. This bacteria turns into plaque and eats away at a tooth, leading to decay. Eventually, if a cavity goes undetected and grows, the root of the tooth can become exposed.
Cavities are typically painful, and they can lead to more serious dental issues. An untreated cavity usually leads to the need for a root canal, and may also cause infection, cracks in a tooth, and even tooth loss. Not to mention, when you have an untreated cavity, pain will continue to increase until an emergency dental appointment becomes inevitable.
Repairing any damaged tooth is vital to maintaining your oral health. For cavity repair, the most common treatment is dental fillings. Dental fillings are preferred to root canal therapy, as root canal therapy is only used when a cavity is so deep that the root of the tooth has been exposed. Continue reading to learn more about dental fillings.
Cavity Repair
Dental fillings are performed frequently by dentists in Woodland Hills, CA and the rest of the country every day. This is because cavities are common, but fortunately, they are also easily repaired when caught early.
Fillings are done by removing tooth decay and replacing it with a kind of material that is durable enough to stand up to chewing, talking, and the general wear that teeth endure every day. The most common filling materials include:
Glass Ionomer
Amalgam
Gold
Ceramic
Composite
Composite and ceramic fillings closely match the natural color of teeth, while amalgam and gold do not. Glass ionomer fillings are usually only used on children who still have baby teeth present. The filling material a dentist chooses will depend on the severity and location of a cavity.
The process of receiving a dental filling is fairly simple. First, the dentist prepares the tooth or teeth by administering a local anesthetic to the area. Then, once the area is numb, the dentist will remove all of the decay to make room for the filling. Once the tooth or teeth are filled, the decay has essentially been stopped in its tracks. A patient may experience some tenderness around the area following a filling procedure, but they should be in and out of the dental office in one visit.
Your Trusted Dental Office in Woodland Hills
If you are looking for a general and cosmetic dentist in Woodland Hills, CA, look no further than West Valley Dental. If you suspect you have a cavity, we can help restore your smile with a dental filling that is both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
