Dental Cavity Fillings
At Ebner Family Dentistry we pride ourselves on being conservative in our dental treatment. We take the time to discuss all of the treatment options with our patients so that they can make an educated decision about their oral health. When we examine your teeth, one thing that we look for is dental decay, also known as a cavity, which can be addressed with a dental filling.
Tooth Cavities and Fillings
Cavities typically form when plaque is not removed from the surfaces of the teeth. Plaque is the sticky white material that accumulates on your teeth throughout the day and is why brushing and flossing is so important. By removing the plaque, you are removing the cavity causing bacteria, too! Bacteria like to hide in that plaque, and when it is not removed throughout the day, the bacteria can start to demineralize healthy tooth structure and cause cavities and gum disease.
How are cavities treated?
Fortunately, there are a number of ways that we can treat dental decay.
- One way to treat a cavity is by placing a filling.
- During a filling appointment, we clean the tooth of any dental decay.
- After the cavity is removed, we can place a tooth-colored or silver filling material to restore the form and function of the tooth.
Why is it important to treat tooth cavities?
If a filling is not placed, the cavity can progress towards the center of the tooth where the nerve is located. If the cavity gets big enough, you may start to experience sensitivity or a toothache at that time. It is important to make sure cavities are filled before you start to experience these symptoms, otherwise, a root canal may be indicated to relieve you of any discomfort you are having.
For this reason, it is critical to come in for regular check-ups and cleanings so that if a cavity does develop, we can catch it when it is small before it becomes a bigger problem.
