Oral fillings are one of the staples that we perform every single day at the clinic. It is always our goal to remove all of the bacteria and plaque that could have caused the cavity in the first place, fill the cavity, and remove any damaged enamel as well. To ensure this, we will often have to drill into the tooth to make sure that any enamel that has been compromised by the decay is removed, clean the inside of the cavity extremely thoroughly, and then fill the hole that is left using dental fillings.
Most patients are fairly knowledgeable about how a cavity forms. What many people do not realize is how important maintaining healthy teeth are, and that the teeth actually spend a lot of their time repairing themselves in a constant battle with plaque. Teeth use the naturally occurring minerals, calcium, and phosphate, which is found in saliva, along with water and fluoride to repair themselves.
The challenge is that after a while, with a constant barrage of acid-inducing foods, the plaque can overcome this natural defense mechanism, and the bacteria causes a small hole to appear in the enamel. When this happens people find themselves in need of oral fillings.
Getting oral fillings is as easy as visiting our office and letting us do all the work. While we are working to fill cavities on a day to day basis, the dental community is always working behind the scenes to make sure that patients have the best experience possible and to improve the quality of the repair work that we can offer. For example, it was not that long ago that most fillings were completed with metal, and made the filled teeth look like they constantly had something on them.
Today, we use filling materials that are the same color as natural teeth. We can fill cavities that are more visible without ever influencing the smile. These kinds of innovations are exactly what dental scientists work on behind the scenes. In 2012, the University of Maryland Dental School came up with a new filling system that is designed to do more than just fill the teeth. While it is still in testing, this new filling method will kill any residual bacteria in the cavity.
In addition to killing off any remaining bacteria, this new system is also supposed to be able to help the enamel to re-grow and regenerate the tissue that has been destroyed by the bacteria. By working towards solutions like this, we are always looking for the next innovation or invention that can make dental care easier. Our hope is that eventually when you get an oral filling, it will work to make your teeth stronger, and better able to resist any kind of infection or bacterial decay. For now, Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte will continue to provide you with durable and high-quality white dental fillings to restore your tooth structure.
Composite fillings are a commonly used option for fixing a variety of problems with the teeth. Your dentist may give you the choice between composite fillings and various other materials to use for your teeth. Each option comes with slightly different parameters for how long the filling will last and what you will need to…
Patients who receive fillings for dental decay may be interested to know that there are cosmetic benefits of composite fillings as well as dental advantages. Most people want teeth that look natural and do not relish the idea of receiving outdated-looking metal spots in their mouths. Read through the information below to learn more about…
If you have experienced a cavity at least once, you almost certainly have had a dental filling. Composite fillings are made of resin and glass instead of metal. This variety of filling has become increasingly popular for its cosmetic benefits.Composite fillings, like other varieties of fillings, are often recommended by dentists after you suffer a…
Even with healthy oral habits, you can find yourself in need of dental restoration. Tooth colored fillings allow dentists to provide their patients with more aesthetically pleasing results. Here are some details on using this option to repair dental cavities.Many modern patients want teeth to look natural when laughing or smiling. This is why tooth…