The natural bacteria living in your mouth are quick to exploit a compromised area of tooth enamel. This is even more likely to be an issue if you are inconsistent with your daily oral hygiene habits. Once it gains a foothold, the bacterial presence can spread to form a cavity. When this happens, you might experience increased sensitivity in the tooth, discomfort when biting down, or an unnatural texture change.
With early detection, a small cavity can often be repaired by Dr. Gina Khong with a simple filling.
After numbing the tooth with a Novocain injection, your dentist will use a drill to remove all the afflicted tooth enamel to prepare the surface. The material that she selects for the filling will be based on the cavity’s visibility in your smile as well as the tooth’s primary function in your mouth.
An amalgam filling is made from a special blend of inert dental metals. It has the durability to repair a cavity on a molar or premolar. Since it is dark in color, it is not an ideal choice for repairing a cavity that is apparent in your smile.
Composite fillings are a good option for repairing a cavity that’s visible in your smile. They are made from a dental-grade resin material and they can be shaded to match the color and tone of the surrounding tooth enamel, making them indistinguishable in your smile.
Once the filling material has been applied, your dentist will use a special ultraviolet light to harden the filling and secure its bond with the surrounding tooth enamel.
If you live in the Conroe, Texas, area and you suspect that a cavity has formed on one of your teeth, you should call 936-756-9884 to have it treated and repaired at Conroe Dental Associates.
