Struggles in your daily oral hygiene routine can leave bacterial-rich food material and plaque on your teeth. This significantly bolsters the natural bacteria living in your mouth to exploit the tooth enamel, forming tooth decay. With early detection, Dr. Vinh T. Pham can often treat a small cavity with a standard dental filling.
This treatment involves using a drill to remove all the afflicted tooth enamel to prepare the surface. The material that your dentist selects for the filling will be largely based on the tooth’s visibility in your smile as well as its primary function in your mouth.
An amalgam filling is made from a special blend of inert dental metals. It has the durability to handle the tough work of chewing and grinding. Since it is dark in color, it is not an ideal choice for repairing a cavity that is apparent in your smile.
A composite filling is a good option for repairing a cavity that’s visible in your smile. It is made from a dental-grade resin material that can be shaded to match the color and tone of the surrounding tooth enamel, making it indistinguishable in your smile. Once the filling material has been shared and applied, your dentist will use a special ultraviolet light to harden the filling and secure its bond with the surrounding tooth enamel.
If you live in the Campbell, California, area and you suspect that a cavity has formed on one of your teeth, you should call 408-378-8500 to have it treated and repaired at Kirkwood Dental.