Which Type of Dental Filling is Right For You?
Tooth decay in South Pasadena can be treated with different types of fillings.
Today, the most common type of filling is a composite filling. This type of filling is made from several different materials in order to achieve its effect. A benefit to the composite filling is that it is tooth colored, so it blends in with your smile. However, another popular option for a dental filling is a silver, or amalgam filling. Both of these fillings provide a study, long-term solution to tooth decay, but they won’t last forever. Each type of dental filling has its own benefits. You can discuss the types of fillings with your restorative dentist, so you are sure to find the right one for you. Our dentist will make sure you get the quality care and effective treatment you need.
Tooth Decay Stages
Early detection ensures that we can give you fast-acting treatment.
White Spots
Plaque and bacteria begin to accumulate on your teeth if you have poor oral hygiene practices. Chalky white areas form as the minerals that strengthen your teeth are lost. With the proper brushing and flossing techniques and topical treatments like fluoride toothpaste, this demineralization can be halted.
Enamel Decay
Your tooth’s enamel begins to deteriorate when those minerals that give it strength are missing. An internal lesion will form since remineralization is no longer possible. Rapid lesion management helps prevent cavities from forming and necessitating dental fillings.
Dentin Decay
When tooth decay penetrates the enamel layer and enters the dentin layer, a cavity or pit develops in the tooth. The cavity now has to be filled or protected with a dental crown. Dentin is less strong than enamel, therefore an infection will easily pierce it and go on to the next stage. Dental infections must be quickly identified and treated.
Pulp Involvement
Dental pulp damage begins when tooth decay reaches the dentin layer of the tooth. It can be very painful when the dental pulp, which contains the blood vessels and nerves that keep your tooth alive, is damaged. Since the infection will keep spreading to the tooth’s root, a root canal will be necessary to entirely remove the affected tissue.
Abscess Formation
When tooth decay reaches its most advanced level, the gums nearby become infected and the area becomes a tooth abscess, which is a pus-filled pocket. Abscesses attack the nearby soft tissue and bone while the bacteria in the tooth continue to destroy the remaining dental pulp.
Care That’s Worry-Free
Our dentist in South Pasadena is an expert on giving patients a worry-free experience.
Finding a dentist in South Pasadena that is gentle and patient can be an overwhelming task if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, our staff at South Pasadena Dental Group will provide you with dental visits that are worry and stress free. Let your mind rest and give our team at South Pasadena Dental Group a call. Our company slogan is “Exceptional care, with a gentle touch.”
The Importance of Tooth Decay Prevention
Tooth decay in South Pasadena can lead to worse problems if not treated.
Tooth decay is caused by an overload of bacteria and plaque around the teeth due to lack of oral hygiene. Proper brushing and flossing techniques help prevent the development of tooth decay in South Pasadena, but cannot prevent it all together. Regular dental cleanings are necessary twice a year to keep your oral health top notch. Cleanings help get rid of the bacteria, plaque and tartar that contributes to tooth decay over time that brushing and flossing cannot get. Plaque is created by the bacteria and food debris left over in your mouth, and is a sticky film that coats your teeth. Tartar is hardened plaque that has evolved over time to be above and below the gum line. If not treated, tooth decay and infection can take over your mouth leading to the need of a dental filling in South Pasadena, however, that’s not all. If tooth decay isn’t treated early, it can lead to other problems such as gum disease and tooth loss. Even though we have options for treating missing teeth, such as dental implants or dentures, we will always want to save your natural tooth if at all possible. With the proper care, a dental filling used for minimal tooth decay can prevent that tooth from any further decay in the future with proper oral health care. Contact a member of our staff today to schedule your appointment for a dental filling in South Pasadena by calling (626) 441-6234 before your decay gets worse.
