When your dentist detects a cavity in your tooth, the go-to treatment for addressing it is usually a tooth filling. A cavity is a hole in your tooth, and after stopping the decay that causes it, the most effective way to restore your tooth’s strength and integrity is to fill it. However, if the cavity is larger and the decay more extensive than you thought, then it may be too late for a filling. Today, we examine how to know a filling will work by exploring how fillings work, and how tooth decay can progress too much for a filling to suffice.
What Tooth Fillings Do
The main point of a tooth filling is to restore your tooth’s strength, but it also serves as protection for the exposed portions of your tooth structure. If left unprotected, this structure can quickly become infected by harmful oral bacteria again. These days, tooth fillings are most commonly made from biocompatible tooth-colored resin, which is designed to blend in and adhere securely to your tooth structure. This not only offers lifelike results, but also a tight and effective seal against decay-causing oral bacteria.
The Severity of Your Cavity
While tooth-colored fillings are highly effective at treating most mild to moderate cavities, they won’t be as effective if your tooth decay surpasses the main dentin and reaches the pulp. The pulp chamber houses your tooth’s nerves and blood vessels and is connected to the root canal that carries nutrients from your jawbone to the tooth.
What Other Option Is There?
If your tooth decay has become severe enough to reach the pulp and root canal, then your dentist may have to perform root canal therapy to address it. The procedure is similar to a filling in that involves carefully removing harmful bacteria and infected tooth structure/tissues. However, it also involves filling and sealing the pulp and root canal to prevent the infection from spreading further.
Learn if a Filling Will Work to Restore Your Tooth
If you have a cavity, then find out if a filling will work to restore your tooth, or if you may need more comprehensive treatment. To schedule an appointment, call 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.
