Tooth decay is damage to a tooth that can happen when harmful bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth enamel. This can lead to a small hole in a tooth, called a cavity. More severe decay can cause a large hole or even destruction of the entire tooth. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.
There are a few types of fillings, including
Amalgam is a silver mixture of different metals, such as copper, tin, and mercury. These fillings may be more appropriate for the back molars. The material is durable and lasts a long time.
The material is tooth-colored and made of powdered glass that bonds with the teeth. These fillings release fluoride to help prevent further tooth decay.
The material is an alloy of copper, gold, and other metals. These are the most durable fillings, lasting for 20 or more years.
The steps may vary, depending on the your case and the materials we will used. But the general steps are:
The dentist applies a numbing gel to the gums. Once this has taken effect, they inject a local anesthetic into the gum.
Using a drill or another specialized tool, the dentist removes the decayed area of the tooth.
They then we use the filling to fill the hole in the
tooth.
Lastly, they polish the filling and may adjust it so that the person’s bite feels normal
