Posted: Tue Feb 16th 2021
Prime Dental Grand Prairie
2580 W Camp Wisdom Rd #300, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, United States
A dental filling is designed to replace areas of a tooth that have decayed. Tooth decay, or cavities, often occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene and a poor high-sugar diet. Over time, the decay essentially “eats” away at the tooth, which can lead to the need for a complete root canal. To prevent the decay from going any deeper, it is removed and a tooth-colored filling placed.
The main reason fillings are used in the dental office is because a patient has a cavity. Fillings are designed to replace the small hole that is left behind after the cavity (decay) has been removed. Fillings are made of high-quality materials that are tooth-colored, so they last a long time and look completely natural. By removing the decay and placing a filling, you can prevent the eventual need for a root canal or extraction.
In order to determine if you have a cavity, we will examine your teeth using a dental instrument known as an explorer. This small probe will help us to identify areas of a tooth that have become decayed. Normal tooth surface is hard, but an area that is decayed is somewhat soft and “sticky”, causing the explorer to get stuck. X-rays are helpful in identifying cavities that are difficult to find during a typical exam.
The filling procedure begins by numbing the area receiving the restoration. The decay is then removed using a slow speed drill. From there, the small hole is prepped for the new tooth-colored composite filling. The material is placed inside the hole of the tooth and smoothed into place. It is then cured with a specialty bright light to harden the material and prevent it from falling out. You can expect a composite filling to last for about 10 years before it may need to be replaced. For more information, call 972-408-0480 or visit https://bestdentistingrandprairie.com/
