The Role of Dental Fillings in Treating Cavities
Through routine dental exams, your Vista, California dentist can detect early warning signs of dental problems that can threaten your oral health. One of these problems is cavities. Decay is a common dental problem that plagues old and young alike. The most common treatment for decay is dental fillings. Through preventative dental care, the dentists at Dreamtime Dentistry can reduce your risk of decay and other dental issues. You can learn more about dental fillings and cavities at Dreamtime Dentistry.
The Role of Dental Fillings
Fillings are designed to treat tooth decay and protect you from further infection. Once you’ve been diagnosed with a cavity, your dentist will remove the decay and place a filling in the hole left by the cavity to seal it from future infection. Fillings repair the damage caused by the cavity so you can continue to use your tooth like normal. Fillings also keep the infection from spreading to healthy teeth or other parts of your body.
Composite Fillings Vs. Amalgam Fillings
Most people choose either silver amalgam or composite fillings to treat cavities. Silver fillings are a combination of metals (silver, tin, copper, and mercury), making them more conspicuous when you talk or smile. Composite fillings are comprised of composite resin material combined with ceramic and have a tooth-colored appearance. These tooth-colored fillings blend in with natural teeth to make them more discreet. Composite fillings also have the following qualities that make them a good choice for cavity treatment:
- They bond firmly with your teeth to provide a tight protective seal against future decay. They’re also less likely to come loose.
- They’re extremely durable and can withstand years of biting and chewing.
- They require less drilling, so more of your natural tooth structure is preserved when getting this filling.
- They can be used to repair minor cracks and chips in your teeth, along with treating your cavity.
Composite Tooth-Colored Filling in and around Vista, California
If you suspect you have a cavity, contact the Dreamtime Dentistry team in Vista, CA, at (760) 274-0993 to schedule an appointment for composite filling cavity treatment.
