What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is a restoration that is specifically used to fill in an area of one or more teeth that have become decayed. Dental decay, known as a cavity, can infiltrate a tooth and cause it to become weak. Over time, the decay essentially eats into the tooth to reach the inner pulp. Before the decay is allowed to get to this point, it's removed and replaced with a tooth-colored composite resin filling.
Why might a Dental Filling be needed?
If you ignore a cavity long enough, the tooth will require a full root canal. This can cause the tooth to become weakened over time. In order to essentially protect the tooth and get rid of the underlying decay, we recommend having a filling placed. Fillings are simple restorations that can be matched to the color of your existing smile.
Who is a candidate for Dental Fillings?
In many cases, you won't know you have a cavity until you come in for an exam. During the exam, we use a special instrument to look for dark areas or soft spots in a tooth. X-rays further help us in identifying these trouble areas. If you have a cavity, it's recommended that it be filled sooner rather than later.
What happens during the Dental Filling process?
We first numb the area of the mouth needing the filling. The decay is removed from the tooth completely. The next step is to prep the tooth for the new composite filling. We do this by applying an etching gel into the small hole, washing it away and then packing the hole with resin. The resin is cured and hardened with a special dental light. We can place multiple fillings in the same area, and we recommend coming in for treatment as soon as it's found that you have a cavity.
If you think you might need a dental filling in Oak Point, TX and want to know more about the procedure,
call our office today
and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help.
What are Sealants?
Sealants are thin, clear protective coverings that can be applied to the back teeth. They are meant to prevent cavities and deep staining that would otherwise occur if they weren't in place. The beauty about sealants is that they're ideal both for pediatric patients as well as adult patients alike. Most sealants have the ability to last for up to three years before they'll naturally wear away.
Why might you benefit from Sealants?
The reason you might benefit from sealants is because your back teeth have grooves, deep fissures and pitting. This can sometimes make it difficult to keep the teeth clean. Likewise, these areas can become deeply stained over time and be more susceptible to tooth decay. Both children and adults can benefit from having sealants placed.
What makes a person a candidate for Sealants?
With the help of a thorough examination from our dentist in Oak Point, TX, we will be able to determine if sealants are right for you. Sealants are great for patients of all ages, though we often recommend them to our pediatric patients who may not be able to brush and floss properly just yet. If you have older sealants, we can replace them easily in our office at your own convenience. Sealants wear away naturally in roughly one to three years after initial application.
What happens during the Sealant procedure?
The sealant procedure is quick, simple and done within minutes in our office. We first clean and then dry the back teeth. A clear liquid varnish is then brushed over the teeth, only on the back chewing surfaces. These sealants are then dried and cured with a bright light. The process is then repeated for any other back teeth that need this type of protection. It is important that you still brush and floss your teeth normally, since sealants do not protect the front teeth or between the back teeth after they have been placed in our office.
If you would like to learn more about sealants in Oak Point, TX,
call us today
and our friendly staff members can answer all of your questions.
