Tooth decay not only leads to tooth sensitivity and toothaches, but also increases the risk of serious oral health complications. To stop cavities and restore the health and beauty of your smile, we may suggest a dental filling. Our fillings not only look natural, but offer our Astoria, NY, patients a durable solution to cavities. How do we place them and what should patients expect?
The Risks Associated With Cavities
A cavity forms when bacteria bypasses the protective layer of enamel and reaches the inner dentin. The resulting cavity continues to grow and spread, leading to tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks, as well as persistent toothaches. Without treatment, the risk of an infection or abscess only increases. To preserve your tooth and prevent tooth loss, you need to address the problem as soon as possible. If you experience pain in your tooth, please let us know.
The Dental Filling Process
After we examine your smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, we will decide if you need treatment. If we uncover signs of cavities, then we may prescribe a dental filling. Using a metal-free composite resin, we place a lifelike restoration that blends with your tooth. After applying the material, we sculpt the tooth and then cure it under a light. Finally, our team polishes the tooth to ensure a more natural looking appearance. In just one sitting, we help patients enjoy improved oral health and a tooth that still looks natural, blending seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
What About Advanced Tooth Decay?
While restorations address most cases of tooth decay, severe cavities may require more substantial treatment options. For example, we may place a dental crown, which fits over the entire visible portion of your tooth. Using ceramic, we create custom-made crowns that blend with your smile. We may also repair a damaged or decayed tooth with a veneer, a lifelike cosmetic restoration that covers the front and sides of the tooth, completely altering your tooth’s appearance.
If the tooth becomes infected, then a root canal procedure will help stop the progression of infection, preserving your natural tooth and preventing the need for extraction. If you have any questions about tooth decay, or if you have an aching tooth that you feel needs attention, then contact our team today. From natural looking crowns and fillings to cosmetic veneers, we have options available to repair your tooth and ensure your smile continues to shine bright.
Do You Have a Toothache?
If you have an aching tooth, let us know right away! For more information on our restorative treatment options, schedule a consultation with us by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
