You know that nagging twinge you get when you eat something sweet or the slight sensitivity when you sip a glass of cold lemonade? Even though it’s easy to ignore, those little signs could mean you have a cavity. Fortunately, a simple dental filling can often stop tooth decay and save your natural tooth.
We can place a dental filling and get you back to your busy day, allowing you to smile with confidence again.
What Is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling repairs your decayed tooth; here are the steps to this common dental restoration:
- First, we’ll numb your mouth so you won’t feel anything.
- Then, we’ll remove the decayed part of your tooth.
- Next, we’ll clean the area to eliminate any bacteria.
- Finally, we’ll fill the area with tooth-colored composite resin.
How Fillings Protect and Preserve Your Teeth
Dental fillings can actively prevent the following issues:
- Further decay — Without treatment, your tooth decay will continue to spread, potentially leading to a root canal or extraction.
- Pain and sensitivity — A dental filling seals your tooth, eliminating your pain.
- Bacteria — Tooth fillings keep bacteria from entering the area, which can cause further infection.
- Tooth breakage — Fillings reinforce your tooth structure, making it less likely that your tooth will break.
- Additional treatment — Early intervention may help you avoid more extensive treatments later.
When to Call Our Office
We recommend a routine dental exam every six months, allowing us to assess your oral health and identify any potential tooth decay.
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s best to contact our office for an appointment:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
- Sensitivity to sweet foods and drinks
- Pain when biting down or chewing
- A chipped or broken filling
- Tooth pain that doesn’t go away
- A hole or dark spot on your tooth
Questions About Dental Fillings in Tazewell, VA?
To learn more about how we use tooth-colored fillings to restore your smile, please get in touch with our dental office. At R.A. May, DDS, our goal is to help every patient achieve a healthy, beautiful smile, and dental fillings are a safe, effective way to do just that.
You can reach out to us by calling (276) 988-5554.