We Place Tooth Fillings to Repair Cavities & Restore Smiles
A regular regimen of brushing and flossing is essential for maintaining your teeth, gums, and general oral health. When combined with saliva and the naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth, residual food particles can form plaque, a sticky film that can build up on your teeth. If not removed with routine brushing and flossing, the plaque on your teeth can harden into tartar, which can be removed only by a dental professional.
The bacteria trapped in plaque and tartar can produce acids that can damage your gums and eat away at your tooth enamel, the hard coating that protects your teeth. Eventually, acidic erosion can cause a cavity to form in a tooth’s enamel, allowing bacteria and decay to reach the tooth’s sensitive inner layers and cause a toothache. If left untreated, the decay may penetrate the tooth canal, resulting in the need for a tooth extraction or root canal therapy to treat the infection.
The Dental Filling Procedure
To repair and seal a tooth cavity, a dentist can perform a procedure known as a dental filling. Tooth fillings are designed to replace damaged enamel and restore a tooth’s structure, strength, and appearance.
When performing a dental filling procedure, a dentist will use a special drill to remove the decay inside the cavity. This is important to prevent further damage to the tooth. After cleaning the tooth, the dentist will place a filling in the prepared hole to replace the part of the tooth that was destroyed by the decay. To ensure a perfect bite and optimal cosmetic appearance, the dentist will precisely mold the filling to match the shape of the surrounding tooth structure. Composite tooth fillings look like natural tooth material; once placed, they provide a white, non-metallic smile.
We Can Help You Maintain Your Oral Health
If you have a toothache or another dental issue, or if you would like to have a dental checkup and cleaning, the experienced and gentle dental professionals at Florida Dental Centers in Clearwater, Florida, are here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at our office in Clearwater, FL, or one of our other convenient locations.
