A cavity is essentially a small area of tooth decay. It forms when the pervasive bacteria in your mouth work to exploit weakened tooth enamel. While most cavities are a result of an ineffective or inconsistent oral hygiene routine, they can also result from insufficient fluoride exposure in your average day.
Most small and medium cavities can be repaired with an ordinary filling made from gold, porcelain, amalgam or composite materials.
To do this, your dentist, Dr. Danlu Lee & Wendy Yeung, will numb the tooth and surrounding gums before using a drill to remove the decayed enamel. This will provide a clean, healthy enamel surface for the final filling to adhere to.
Gold and porcelain fillings need to be prepared in a dental lab and will require a brief follow-up appointment. Amalgam and composite fillings can be repaired in one single session.
The exact material your dentist recommends for your filling will depend on the tooth’s primary function and its appearance in your smile. Once it is applied, the cement will be cured and hardened. The filling should effectively repair the tooth for a long time to come.
Timely treatment is critical for preventing the cavity from spreading. You should call Radiant Smiles Family Dentistry at (425) 828.9721 to have a suspected cavity treated and repaired with a dental filling in Kirkland, Washington.