One of the oldest forms of tooth restoration is filling a cavity (or hole) that forms as a result of tooth decay. As a progressive condition, tooth decay destroys increasingly more of your tooth structure until it’s stopped. After removing the infection, your dentist will have to restore this structure with a biocompatible filling. Today, that material is most often tooth-colored composite resin, which offers the benefit of blending in with your tooth while doing a better job than metal at filling your cavity and protecting your tooth.
Understanding What a Cavity Is
Tooth decay describes an infection in your tooth structure caused by harmful oral bacteria, and the cavity that forms as a result is an indication of how far it’s progressed. The longer decay has affected your tooth, the larger the cavity will be by the time you treat it. Fortunately, most patients can stop the decay from becoming too severe by seeking treatment with a tooth-colored filling as early as possible.
What Fillings Have Always Done
The tooth structure that you lose to decay is lost forever, which means the condition can leave your tooth structurally weaker than before. The point of a filling is to restore this structure so your tooth can regain its strength and integrity after your dentist has stopped the decay from growing. The filling also seals the cavity to protect your vulnerable tooth structure from future infection.
What Modern Fillings Can Also Do
These days, most fillings are made to improve your tooth’s appearance as well as treat its cavity. Tooth-colored composite resin is designed to match your tooth’s unique color and shade, and in addition to filling your cavity, it also adheres strongly to your tooth for optimal protection.
Learn More About Modern Tooth Fillings
The point of a tooth filling is to save your tooth from a cavity, and modern filling materials can better ensure the success of your treatment. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849. We proudly welcome patients and families from Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, Cypress, Sealy, Columbus, and all surrounding communities.
