How are Cavities Filled?

by | Aug 22, 2012 | Dentist

Finding out that you have cavities during a scheduled cleaning can be a downer, especially if it is due to tooth decay. Fortunately, a dentist in Lubbock, TX can fill a cavity fairly quickly and it isn’t as expensive as you might think. Moreover, it’s a common oral health issue, and not something to be too worried about as long as you listen to the dentist and follow any advice given about oral care.

Your dentist in Lubbock, TX will provide for you options regarding how to proceed once it is established that you are in need of a tooth filling. Several factors are including in determining which options will best suit you, including the location of the cavity, the general disposition of your oral health, esthetic considerations and others. Options that your dentist in Lubbock, TX may give you include direct composite bonding, silver amalgam or inlays and onlays. After consultation with your dentist, he or she will recommend which choice is the best one for your own particular circumstances.

When you go to have the actual filling, your dentist in Lubbock, TX or his assistant will first prepare the affected tooth for treatment by numbing it. This will most likely be accomplished through the use of a local anesthetic; most dentists use an agent such as Novocain through an injection which, as your dentist will likely say, “may sting a little”.  Once the area around the tooth is numb, your dentist will extract the decay using dental tools such as a hand-piece. Once this is completed, he or she will thoroughly clean the area in order to remove any remaining bacteria before proceeding with whatever method of repair has been found to best suit your needs.

Once the cavity has been filled, it’s likely that your dentist will have a conversation with you in regard to your oral hygiene habits. He or she will recommend specific steps that you can take in order to prevent the return of tooth decay, which may include both dietary considerations and improving methods of oral hygiene. Most likely your dentist in Lubbock, TX will advise you to brush twice a day, floss, keep your dental appointments, and lay off sugar, starches, soft drinks, or other foods that may contribute to the formation of cavities.

It is important to follow your dentist’s advice in order to prevent future cavities, and in order to ensure the optimal functionality of your teeth, as well as the aesthetic value of your smile.

Our new comfortable dental offices at Gerwig Family Dental are equipped with state of the art technologies and dental equipment. As a professional dentist in Lubbock, TX for many years, we have provided numerous fillings for our patients, and have a reputation for gentle, painless and efficient work.  Visit us online or call for an appointment at 806-794-7479. We are located at 4425 98th St #100 Lubbock, TX 79424. You can also reach us by e-mail: gerwigfamilydental@gmail.com

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