How a General Dentist Uses Dental Fillings for Tooth Decay

Your general dentist can use dental fillings to repair your cavities. A cavity could mean destruction for your tooth. A cavity may start as a tiny hole. Over time, it increases in size and depth. Dental fillings are the immediate solutions to every cavity you may have. If you want to find out how your general dentist uses fillings to treat tooth decay, here are the details.

The definition of tooth decay

Tooth decay is when bacteria eat through the teeth and leave a hole behind. This hole or cavity still has the bacteria. It will keep getting bigger if it does not get treatment. Then, the cavity will lead to infection, which could spread to the jawbone and the bloodstream. The general dentist must remove the decaying part of the tooth.

Why a dental cavity needs a filling

Tooth decay causes sensitivity as it worsens. It could get big enough to reach the inner nerves of the tooth. This will continue to be a site of inflammation and infection. The general dentist must remove the decayed part of the tooth as early as possible. Doing so will prevent the progression of tooth decay.

Severe decay will leave the patient with a small amount of dental structure. The remaining healthy dental structure is weak. The weakness of the tooth will cause serious problems if the tooth does not receive enough support. That is why a dental crown should go over the tooth. The crown will protect the tooth from future trauma and bacterial infection.

Filling the cavity

The general dentist will remove the decayed tissue from the inside of the cavity. Removing dental decay will damage the tooth even more. The dentist will place a filling into the decayed portion of the tooth. This will replace the damaged part of the tooth.

Numbing the area near the decayed tooth (or teeth). This will include the jaw and the gums. Drilling the decay will come next. The dentist will clean out the tooth as a preparation for the dental filling. Selecting the right dental filling will then determine the method of placement.

The types of dental fillings

Many dentists use composite resin because its color mimics that of natural teeth. Some dental care providers use glass ionomer and silver fillings. The general dentist will mold the filling around the tooth. Aesthetics and function are the main goals in placing the dental filling.

Reasons for placing a temporary filling

A sedative or temporary filling is a dental procedure for a tooth with an indefinite condition. A general dentist can give a patient this filling as an intermediate method. Saving the tooth might take more extensive treatments. A temporary filling is an immediate solution when the patient comes in for a painful cavity.