Cavities can impact smiles of all ages, from young kids to adults and seniors. To treat the issue and stop pain, while also preventing the risk of an infection, we could place a filling. In today’s blog, your Maple Grove, MN, dentist talks about how we help smiles with our lifelike dental fillings!
The Signs You Need a Dental Filling
When do you need a dental filling? If you begin to notice a tooth feels sensitive when you eat or drink, or if you have a toothache that is prolonged and doesn’t subside after a day or two, this could indicate a potential cavity. Our team can conduct an exam with digital x-rays to assess the presence and severity of the cavity, so we can plan treatment. In most cases, we can offer relief in one sitting with a dental restoration. For more severe decay or an infection, we could place a crown or even conduct a gentle root canal. But how do we treat decay with fillings?
Treating Your Cavity
When you sit down for treatment, we will numb the tooth being treated with a local anesthesia to keep you comfortable and then we will remove the decay from the tooth and thoroughly clean it. We then prepare and place your restoration material in several layers, sculpting and molding it as the material cures under a light. The last step is to polish the tooth for a brighter appearance.
Our team will use a metal-free material that is safe for kids, adults, and patients of all types. This blend of glass-like and acrylic materials known as composite resin can be shaded to blend with the tooth and look natural too. In fact, we often use the same material in a cosmetic bonding procedure to repair minor chips and even mask common esthetic imperfections with the color and shape of the tooth in one visit!
Keeping Your Smile Safe
Following your restoration placement, we will talk about ways to help prevent the need for another one. To avoid tooth decay, be sure you take time to brush and floss daily, cut back on the sugar and starch in your diet, and be sure you see our team for a checkup and cleanings every six months. These factors can help protect teeth from cavities and infections, so your smile stays healthy, whole and beautiful for years to come.
If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat a cavity with a filling, then contact our team today to learn more.
Elm Creek Dental Treats Restorations In One Visit
Our team wants to provide a solution for your aching tooth. To find out more about dental restorations, then call Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN, today at 763-416-0606.