When Does Your Tooth Need A Filling?

If you begin to experience a painful toothache, you may need to receive a dental filling. Otherwise, tooth decay could cause worse pain and even increase the risk of an infection. In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist looks at when you need a filling and how we place one in only a single sitting.

The Warning Signs and Causes of Tooth Decay

How do you know if you have a cavity? If you attend a checkup visit every six months, then we can likely uncover the issue in the earliest stages of decay, often before you experience discomfort. Otherwise, you may not know you have a cavity until it reaches a more advanced stage, at which point the tooth begins to ache and feel sensitive. At this stage, entrapment is crucial to prevent the decay from becoming an infection that can impact the stability of the tooth.

Cavities form when harmful bacteria make contact with the dentin, the sensitive structure that makes up most of your tooth. This could happen when an injury or teeth grinding weakens or damages enamel. Also, if you don’t brush and floss properly and have a diet high in sugar, this can promote plaque buildup that erodes the enamel and exposes the dentin to bacteria.

Composite Resin Benefits

When you have an aching tooth, come to us for an examination so we can see if you have a cavity. If we find one, then we could offer relief with a filling. Instead of using metal ones, we prefer a metal-free composite resin that is safe for all ages. The material blends glass-like and acrylic-like particles, and is biocompatible, bonding with the tooth. We also use the same material to mask cosmetic issues or repair minor damage in only one visit in a dental bonding procedure.

Placing Your Filling

Our team will start the process by numbing the tooth to ensure you are comfortable as we remove decay and possibly etch the surface. Next, we clean the tooth and place the prepared filling material, which we shade to blend with the tooth structure. As we sculpt and mold the tooth to ensure proper balance, we will cure the composite resin under a light. The last step is to polish it for a brighter appearance. In one visit, we can offer relief from a painful cavity. If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat a cavity in only one visit with a filling, then contact our team today to learn more. A visit now is also a chance to use your remaining 2024 dental benefits before they expire at the end of December, so reach out to our team today!

Schedule a Visit to Treat Your Cavity

When you have an aching tooth, we can help with the placement of a dental restoration, and in only one visit. For more information on restorative dentistry, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith and our team by calling Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, today at (972) 262-5111.