Dental tooth-colored fillings are used to repair teeth with minor damage or decay. This commonly used restoration will seal off voids or cavities on a tooth. Once a filling is placed, harmful bacteria and food particles can no longer access the inner structure of the tooth and cause further damage.
If you have a cavity and need a filling in Kuna, please call (208) 922-1755 today for an appointment with a dentist at Deluxe Dental.
What Causes Cavities
Cavities are a common form of tooth damage. It’s caused by oral bacteria that cling to your teeth and feed on carbohydrates, especially sugars. These bacteria secrete acid as a byproduct of digestion, and this acid attacks your tooth enamel, which is strong against stresses, but vulnerable to acidic attack. This is why regular brushing and flossing prevents tooth decay: it removes the bacteria from your teeth before the acid can damage the enamel. Reducing sugar consumption can also help control cavities.
Once a small hole develops, bacteria shelter in the hole, which also traps food, and that can speed the development of the cavity. The cavity can eventually progress to the living part in the middle of the tooth, causing an infection. If the cavity is not treated with a filling, it may decay to the point where it needs a more major restoration like a dental implant.
How We Place Tooth-Colored Fillings
During a filling procedure, our dental professionals will remove the decay (the material that has become soft due to bacteria) and replace it with a composite material that will harden and fill in the missing tooth structure. The composite material is a resin (plastic) that includes ceramic pieces for additional durability. Once we shape the filling, we expose it to a curing light that causes it to harden. For large cavities, it might take multiple layers of composite.
Fillings are typically used when there has been a minor amount of damage or decay, including cavities. This procedure can be achieved in one appointment.
Regular checkups let us detect small cavities before they become big problems. A filling for a cavity is much better than a root canal treatment for an infected tooth.
Tooth-Colored Filling Options
There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today. Because composite fillings are tooth-colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or more visible areas of the mouth. These are both very durable and will last many years, giving you a long-lasting, beautiful smile.
We also offer dental inlays and onlays, which are ceramic fillings that look even more attractive and are very long-lasting.
Do You Need a Filling in Kuna?
If you have experienced minor damage or decay to a tooth, it’s best to remove it and fill in the space before there is more extensive damage or decay done. To learn more about your options or to schedule an appointment, please call our dental office at (208) 922-1755.
