If you want to avoid restorative dental work, take care to protect your smile against the formation of cavities. Even when it is caught early, a problem with decay makes the placement of a dental filling necessary. This means you will need to depend on a permanent restoration that stays in place for the life of the tooth. The good news is that your procedure can only affect a limited area, leaving the surrounding healthy structure alone. At our Baxter, MN dentist’s office, we can provide different types of these restorations. This includes restorations that are able to match the color and texture of your enamel.
A Cavity Will Permanently Damage Your Tooth Structure
Once a cavity forms, you will have permanent enamel damage that you need to deal with in order to keep your tooth healthy. As part of your treatment, you will have infected tissues removed, and you will then have a restoration carefully placed. Treatment will call for either a dental filling or dental crown—the approach that your dentist takes will depend on what condition your tooth is in after decay is addressed. A filling is your more conservative option, one that preserves the surrounding structure.
Receiving Your Dental Filling
A custom dental filling is applied directly at the site where your cavity formed. Depending on the state of your tooth and how visible it is, we can determine if you should receive a metal filling, or one made from composite resin. A composite filling is a lifelike resin material that blends in with the surrounding structure to preserve the way your tooth looks. Both options provide welcome bite support as well as coverage to prevent the infiltration of bacteria.
A Delay In Treatment Can Complicate How Your Cavity Is Addressed
One way to put you at risk for a severe cavity is to go without regular dental exams. You may not realize when decay first affects you. As the problem worsens, it will do more harm to your enamel, eventually doing enough damage to make a dental crown necessary. A crown covers a tooth above your gum line. While this requires more preparatory work and permanent changes to your enamel, it can supply protection as well as better bite stability.
Talk To Your Baxter, MN Dentist About Cavity Treatment With A Filling
Through the placement of a permanent dental filling, your tooth will remain safe and secure after cavity treatment. Our practice is here to help when dental decay requires professional treatment. Of course, we are also here to help you prevent these problems, and we can provide welcome support during your next dental exam and cleaning. If you would like to learn more or set an appointment, reach out to your Baxter, MN, dentist, Dr. Roberts, at (218) 454-0523.