When you have a cavity, this could cause toothaches and even threaten your overall smile stability. Treatment with a filling could bring relief and prevent major problems. In today’s blog, your Newhall, CA, dentist talks about how we plan, create, and place a lifelike dental filling made from composite resin.
Metal vs. Composite Resin
While effective, metal fillings do have their drawbacks. First, they don’t blend with your smile and can impact smile esthetics. This material could also be unsafe for young children, the elderly, and pregnant woman, and options like amalgam contain trace amounts of mercury. However, we instead use a composite resin that is a metal-free blend of acrylic-like and glass-like particles, which is durable and long-lasting. We can also shade the material to blend with the tooth structure and offer lifelike results, with a restoration that is also safe for all ages!
When You Need a Filling
How do you know if you need one? If you attend regular six-month checkup and cleaning visits, then we can identify cavities in the earliest stages of development, often before they cause discomfort. Otherwise, you may not know you need treatment until it reaches the more advanced stage, at which point your tooth sensitivity and toothaches could mean an infection is around the corner. When you have persistent pain in your smile, let us know right away. We will examine your smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to diagnose the position of the cavity and to assess the severity. We then decide if you need a filling!
Placement and Prevention
To begin, we will administer a local numbing agent to keep you comfortable. We then gently remove all decay and then clean the tooth thoroughly. We prepare and place the filling material in several layers. As we cure the composite resin under a light, we will sculpt and mold the tooth. The last step is to thoroughly polish it for a brighter appearance and a smoother feel. In one visit, we can treat the problem and bring comfort to your smile, helping you avoid infections or even the risk of a lost tooth.
To avoid future cavities, be sure you brush and floss daily, cut back on the amount of sugar and starch in your diet, and also see us every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This also helps you fight issues like bad breath, teeth stains, gingivitis, and even gum disease.
Talk To Your Newhall, CA Dentist About Restorative Dentistry
Our team wants to offer treatment to prevent a cavity from becoming an infected tooth. If you would like to learn more about our approach to restorative dental care, then contact your Newhall, CA, dentist, Dr. Tajik, by calling (661) 259-7760.