Repairing damaged teeth and treating cavities
Fillings are the most common type of restorative treatment. Used to repair and rebuild teeth in the back of the mouth, fillings restore functionality and appearance. At Carbis Bay Dental Care, we are fast moving towards being an amalgam-free clinic, using only tooth-coloured composite to fill teeth. Composite fillings are a more aesthetic treatment and are kinder to the teeth being treated.
Why do I need a filling?
Cavities can cause a host of issues for your smile if left untreated. Dental decay is very common, with sugary foods being a major contributor. Bacteria thrive off sugary deposits, forming plaque, which produces acidic conditions. This attacks and wears down the hard enamel, creating a cavity where the bacteria can enter the tooth.
Having a tooth filled involves removing the decayed part of the tooth and so preventing the bacteria from doing more damage. What was lost to the cavity is then restored by the filling itself, making the tooth as good as new.
What’s involved in having a filling?
We’ll first assess your oral health, whether this is during a routine check up or a result of you booking an appointment after noticing symptoms of a cavity. If necessary we take x-rays to fully diagnose the issue.
When we see you for your filling, we’ll use local anaesthetic to prepare the tooth. We do offer sedation if you are particularly nervous and wish to relax entirely.
We remove the decayed part of the tooth and clean the healthy tooth that remains. As we use composite, there’s no need to touch any of the healthy parts of the tooth. The composite bonds directly to the natural tooth and we add it in layers, building the structure and bite surface. It is colour-matched to blend perfectly.
We harden the composite under a special light and then polish it, leaving a very natural-looking finish.
Looking after your filled tooth
Your filling can last a long time, as long as you protect your smile from the wear and tear that life brings. Just like your natural teeth, great oral care at home will prevent bacteria from causing further harm. During your routine examinations, we’ll keep an eye on your fillings, making sure that they are still doing their job properly.
