Taking care of your smile involves a number of moving parts. For example, you will want to ensure you are taking strides at home to brush your teeth, floss, use mouthwash, and pay mind to the types of food and beverages you consume, as these factors influence your smile’s health. Additionally, you will want to attend a routine dental visit at least twice a year to ensure your structures are in appropriate condition. Still, however, sometimes infection sets in faster than is expected, and as a result, restorative treatment must be considered. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS dentist discusses the dangers of leaving tooth decay untreated and how dental fillings can help.
Understanding Tooth Decay
It goes without saying that tooth decay is among the most common oral health concern in the world. As a matter of fact, millions of Americans every single year endure the phenomenon in one stage or another, and even more individuals are unable to seek timely treatment for a lack of awareness that an issue is occurring to begin with. Indeed, the earlier stages of tooth decay are often difficult to identify on one’s own, and it is for this reason that our team recommends attending bi-annual preventive visits.
Tooth decay is a phenomenon that is characterized by destruction and harm to a tooth’s structure. It often occurs when oral bacteria feed off of the food and beverages you consume, causing them to secrete a destructive acid. This acid first works away at the protective enamel that is surrounding your tooth, then will eventually work its way into the structure itself.
Further, your issues do not end there, as this process will continue until an entire tooth – or several – become compromised and beyond saving. To learn more about this process, give our team a call today.
A Straightforward Procedure
The sooner you seek treatment for tooth decay, the better the chances are for successful treatment. In fact, it is best to treat a minor cavity with a composite dental filling than it is to receive root canal therapy, and our team will always encourage the former.
During your visit, we will take care to remove the infected portions of the tooth, then fill the open cavity with composite material so as to reinforce its strength.
Benefits of Lifelike Resin
In addition to providing structural, functional, and health benefits, a composite filling allows for lifelike treatment. The composite material that we use can be shade-matched to the natural hue of your smile, meaning you can enjoy a restored smile without evidence of significant treatment.
Schedule Your Appointment
Contact Dr. Stuart Dexter, Prosthodontist in Prairie Village, KS by calling 913-362-8200 to learn more about the benefits of utilizing composite resin, and schedule your next appointment with our team today.