Approximately 96% of Canadian adults have a history of cavities. The vast majority of those cavities are filled with “silver” fillings. Today, people with cavities have more choices, including the option of getting fillings so well blended with your natural healthy teeth that those fillings may as well be invisible.
Cavities are preventable. But if you’ve already developed a cavity, it’s important that infected material be removed and that your cavity be filled by a dentist near you to prevent tooth decay from spreading and undermining the structure and integrity of your tooth. Here’s what you need to know about how cavities are treated and your options for what colour of fillings to choose.
What causes cavities?
While genetic influences do play some factor, the most significant cause of cavities is the ongoing presence of plaque on your teeth. Plaque is a biofilm that accumulates on your teeth in gums as you eat and process food, especially foods high in sugar and starch. Plaque converts sugars and starches to acids that eat away at your enamel. By eating away, we mean digging holes into your teeth — quite literally cavities. Those cavities become pools for holding more and more bacteria and plaque which can accelerate the progress of tooth decay unless it is halted as quickly as possible.
How are cavities treated?
To halt the progress of tooth decay, the staff at your dental clinic in Edmonton will remove decayed tooth material which ironically has the effect of making some cavities even bigger. Unfortunate as that is, it’s necessary to prevent the spread of that tooth decay on the tooth or to other teeth. Once all decayed tooth material has been removed, the remaining cavity can’t be left open, but must be filled. Filling that cavity prevents bacteria and food particles from accumulating in the space to begin the decay process anew and replaces some of the structural integrity lost with the removal of decayed material.
“Silver” fillings are not your only option
Traditionally, cavities have been filled with gold or “silver” amalgam fillings that are made up of a combination of several metals — including some silver but also some mercury. Today, you have more options than those if you’re having a cavity filled by a dentist in Edmonton.
Many people opt for tooth-coloured fillings made from composite resins that are tinted to match your health tooth and applied in your cavity in layers to fill the space. The composite material is initially a putty-like substance that is easily placed in the cavity and molded to meet other layers and gradually but completely fill the void. Each successive layer is hardened using dental lasers. Composite teeth fillings near you are increasingly popular because they blend with your teeth and appear natural without the garish and all-too-obviousness of a silver or gold filling. Opting for tooth coloured fillings near you may be an especially attractive option if your cavity is located on any of your incisors or canine teeth. Those are the six teeth in the front of both jaws that (especially on the top) are often referred to as your “smile zone.”
Removing tooth decay and filling a cavity is typically a process that is completed in a single appointment. If you have an unusually large cavity, the filling process with composite materials may take longer than usual and may even require a second appointment. That’s simply because placing a composite filling in Edmonton takes longer to dry than traditional metal filling materials.
If you suspect you have a cavity or you have a filling that seems loose or fragile, get in touch with a dentist near you and ask if tooth coloured fillings are available to protect your teeth and preserve your natural smile.
