Tooth decay (the cause behind cavity development) still affects a majority of people at some point in their lives. However, cavities aren’t as destructive overall as they used to be thanks to advanced, highly biocompatible treatments such as tooth-colored fillings. A tooth filling is designed to stop a cavity from growing worse and strengthen your healthy tooth structure. When placed as early as possible, fillings are highly effective at stopping tooth decay while it’s still a minor issue.
The Dangers of Cavities
The danger of a cavity, or hole in your tooth, is that it grows larger and larger the longer you leave it untreated. Tooth decay is progressive, and as it destroys more of your tooth structure, the hole in your tooth can quickly consume it. That decay can also infect your tooth’s inner pulp chamber where the nerves and blood vessels rest, creating a host of additional tooth and dental health issues.
How Tooth Fillings Work
At first, the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay wear away a tooth’s protective enamel, then infect its underlying structure (dentin). To stop the cavity in the dentin from progressing, your dentist will clean away the harmful oral bacteria and any tooth structure that has become infected. Then, he can place a filling made from biocompatible tooth resin, which is customized to match your tooth’s color, so that it can conform to the cavity’s shape. With the filling in place, your tooth can regain its full function while also remain protected against harmful oral bacteria in the future.
Find Out if a Filling Can Effectively Treat Your Cavity
Tooth fillings are most effective when they’re applied in a cavity’s earliest stages, before your tooth suffers significant damage. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling the Sunny Smiles dental office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We have offices in the East, Northeast, and Westside of El Paso, and happily welcome patients from all nearby communities, including Chaparral, Canutillo, Vinton, and Sunland Park, New Mexico.