Cavities are Easily Treated with Fillings
If you have a cavity, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, 91% of Americans have cavities. Cavities, also known as dental caries, occur when acid from sugars and bacteria eats a hole through the enamel of your teeth. If left untreated, cavities can continue to damage the tooth, causing additional decay, loosening, and even tooth loss.
Fillings are the most common method of filling in cavities and restoring strength and function to the teeth. Learn about the differences in these two types of fillings and see how they can help you.
2 Types of Fillings – Composite and Amalgam
Amalgam and composite fillings are typically the main treatments for cavites. Discover the differences between these fillings types here:
Amalgam (Silver)
Amalgam is the traditional form of dental filling that has been used since the 1800’s. Comprised of several different metals and silver in appearance, amalgam is most often used on fillings that are concealed inside your mouth. Note that we exclusively use tooth-colored fillings at Artisan Dental Care.
Composite (Tooth-colored)
Also known as white or tooth colored fillings, composite fillings have become extremely popular among patients looking for a more natural, metal-free option.Composite fillings are made of a tooth-colored resin and can typically be expected to last at least 10 years.
The Dental Fillings Process
When you arrive for your appointment to get dental fillings, the first goal is to ensure you’re comfortable. Local anesthetic will be applied prior to your filling being inserted And any signs of tooth decay will be removed. The affected area is then sterilized and Dr. Crandall will fill the tooth with either the amalgam or composite resin. Once your filling has been placed, you can celebrate the return of your bright and complete smile.
What Can Dental Bonding do for Your Smile?
Bonding involves a plastic resin that is applied to your teeth. The resin hardens under a special light, allowing Dr. Crandall to change the shape of your teeth. This is useful for patients with gaps in their teeth, short teeth, or cracked and chipped teeth. Bonding can also be used as an alternative to dental fillings. Whatever type of tooth damage you have, bonding may be an ideal solution for strengthening your teeth and upgrading the aesthetics of your smile.
The Dental Bonding Process
Part of the benefit of bonding is how this cosmetic treatment requires little to no preparation. As it’s often used to fill cracks or chips in teeth, topical anesthesia is rarely necessary in dental bonding procedures.
Correcting minor dental flaws with bonding starts with Dr. Crandall using a shade guide to ensure that the resin color matches the color of your teeth. Teeth are then prepared for bonding with a conditioning liquid which helps the bonding resin better stick to the tooth.Bonding resin is then applied and smoothed to the desired shape on the tooth. Finally, a bright light is used to cure (harden) the bonding material to the tooth. By the end of this visit, you’ll leave our Cornelius office with a beautifully restored smile!
Trust Artisan Dental Care to Repair your Cavities
While cavities are easily prevented with an effective oral hygiene routine, dental caries remains one of the most common dental issues for kids, teens, and adults. At Artisan Dental Care, we prefer to fill our patients’ cavities with composite fillings that match the color of their teeth and last about a decade. If you reside near Cornelius, NC and suspect you may have untreated cavities, count on Dr. Crandall for effective composite filling treatments. Contact us today!
