Today’s dental treatments have become so advanced that they can address virtually any dental health issue you may face in your lifetime. For many people, the most common of those issues is cavities, which develop in teeth as a result of excessive plaque and tartar buildup. Because they occur so often, addressing cavities is one of the more frequent types of dental treatments performed, and tooth fillings have long been the preferred method of doing so. At our Mansfield, TX, dental office, patients continue to benefit from modern tooth fillings not only to fix their cavities, but also to help improve the appearance of their cavity-stricken tooth.
What they’re designed to fix
A cavity is a damaged area, or hole, in your tooth enamel and structure. This damage leaves the tooth’s main structure, or dentin, exposed to infectious oral bacteria found in plaque and tartar. When the tooth becomes infected, a cavity will develop and continue to grow larger until treated. A tooth filling is called such because it essentially fills the depression in your tooth. After we’ve removed the bacteria and compromised dentin, we can fill the cavity to restore its structural integrity and alleviate the pain of the tooth decay. Filling the cavity also protects the exposed dentin from harmful bacteria in the future.
Why are cavities so common?
Cavity treatment isn’t the only thing that’s advanced over the centuries. Preventive efforts have also come a long way, which has led to significant drops in the rate of chronic dental health issues. Yet, despite enhanced preventive capabilities, many people still develop cavities, mainly because oral bacteria don’t need much to generate tooth decay. For example, if you skip brushing and flossing your teeth even once, then the plaque that has developed on your teeth can calcify into tartar. Because you can’t remove tartar with your toothpaste and water, the bacteria within it can remain there, converting sugars and carbs into acids that constantly attack your teeth until a cavity forms.
The beauty of modern tooth fillings
The good thing about today’s tooth fillings is that they not only effectively restore teeth, but also do so in a way that retains their strength and integrity as well as their healthy, natural appearance. Made from biocompatible composite resin, modern fillings (or tooth-colored fillings) are customized to closely mimic the color and shade of the teeth that they’re placed in. The resin can also be securely bonded to your tooth’s dentin, creating a tight, highly effective seal against oral bacteria and the possibility of re-infection.
More discreet modern tooth fillings
Tooth fillings have always been popular, and always will be, because cavities have always been a common dental problem. To find out if you can benefit from a more discreet modern filling, schedule a consultation by calling our dentist’s office in Mansfield, TX, today at 817-473-6227.
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