When you have an aching tooth due to a cavity, we want to offer care to treat the tooth and prevent major issues from occurring. Instead of traditional metal fillings, we have a more lifelike alternative for kids and adults. In today’s blog, your Sunny Smiles team talks about our composite resin dental fillings.
The Causes and Indicators of Tooth Decay
When should you see our team for a diagnosis? Well, if you or a member of your family experience tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking, or a toothache that doesn’t pass after a day or two, then this is cause for concern. Once your tooth hurts, this could mean the decay is more advanced and the risk of infection is higher. Tooth decay occurs when the outer enamel is compromised, either through injury or poor oral health. A diet high in sugar and starch, combined with poor brushing and flossing habits, can lead to plaque and tartar buildup that weakens and erodes the enamel. Once bacteria reach the inner dentin, a cavity forms that will grow and spread unless treated. Don’t risk infection or tooth loss, talk to our team about a filling.
Composite Resin
While metal is effective, some amalgams contain trace amounts of mercury, and metal could change shape with time and temperature, increasing the risk of future decay or reinfection. But with composite resin, we have a biocompatible material that bonds with the tooth and lasts for years to come. The material is metal-free and safe for all ages. In addition, we can shade it to blend with the tooth and offer a more natural appearance. We also use the same material in our bonding procedures to mask common cosmetic imperfections in only one visit.
Placing Dental Restorations
Placing a dental filling only takes one visit to complete and can stop decay to bring relief from discomfort and prevent infection. To get started, we will numb the tooth being treated so we can comfortably remove all decay and then if needed, etch the surfaces., We prepare and place the filling material in several layers, sculpting and molding the tooth. We then cure the material under a light. The last step is to polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. In one visit we stop toothaches and protect the tooth from complications down the road. If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat a decayed tooth, or about our composite resin dental fillings, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have an Aching Tooth?
If you are interested in our lifelike dental restorations, call Sunny Smiles Family Dentistry in El Paso, TX, today at 915.759.7000 to get started. We want to help return your smile to full function, health, and beauty.