If you know that you need treatment for a cavity, you can anticipate that your dentist will place a dental filling on the tooth to protect it. This is not always the case – sometimes, a dental crown is needed to protect a tooth that requires more support than a filling is ready to give. That being said, fillings are commonly provided for patients after restorative dental work. At our Richfield, MN dentist’s office, patients receive fillings that are made with a lifelike composite resin material that offers an impressive cosmetic match with their enamel. These restorations offer more than just better coverage for your smile – they are able to bond directly with your tooth structure to offer lasting support!
1. Dental Fillings Minimize Changes To Your Tooth Structure
With a dental filling, it is possible to restore a tooth while leaving healthy enamel in place. After your dentist has carefully removed the area where a cavity formed and caused damage, this restoration is put in place in the void where support is required. After this happens, the filling bonds with your tooth. Because it leaves your remaining enamel uncovered, and because it can be tinted to match the color of this material, you can feel comfortable with its appearance after treatment.
2. A Tooth-Colored Filling Can Bond With Your Enamel
While metal fillings have helped patients protect teeth in the past, fillings made from composite resin can offer benefits that restorations made from this material cannot. Because this material is biocompatible, it can bond with the surrounding tooth structure. This ensures a stable hold, and it prevents the formation of any cracks or spaces between the filling and your tooth. Even if those spaces are slight, they can give enough room for bacteria to enter.
3. Dental Fillings Are Used To Provide Permanent Support To Teeth
A dental filling is a discreet, permanent answer to the problem of dental decay. When decay occurs, the harm is more than your tooth can naturally recover from on its own. While removing the cavity stops further harm, it will be necessary for a restoration to remain in the space where damage occurred. If you have an older filling or crown that no longer seems to keep your tooth safe, bring this up with your dentist as soon as possible, as this problem can leave you vulnerable to harm.
Your Richfield, MN Dentist’s Office Provides Treatment With Lifelike Dental Fillings
Our Richfield, MN dentist’s office is prepared to help patients who need to have treatment for tooth decay. In addition to providing restorations that offer lasting support, we can use materials that provide a good cosmetic match for your smile! Find out more by calling Cedar West Family Dentistry at (612) 861-7188.
