When a tooth develops a cavity, we urge treatment to prevent infection or even the premature loss of the teeth. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about how we treat a cavity in one visit with a lifelike dental restoration, one that is safe for all smiles: the dental filling.
The Cause and Dangers of Tooth Decay
How does a cavity form in a tooth? Well, this involves bacteria moving past the outer enamel and into the dentin, which is far more sensitive. This could happen when poor oral hygiene habits create plaque buildup, a bacterial byproduct that weakens and erodes the enamel and exposes the dentin. Injury or teeth grinding could be factors as well. When the decay forms, it will grow and spread without treatment, eventually causing a painful infection and an increased risk of tooth loss! When you begin to notice tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink, or a persistent toothache, then let us know right away.
Dental Fillings
Our team will begin by taking detailed images of your teeth with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to identify the presence and severity of a cavity. We will then place and implement treatment. To start, we will administer a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable as we remove the decay from the tooth. Next, we prepare and place the filling material. Using composite resin, we have a metal-free option that we color-match to blend with the smile. We shape the teeth as the composite resin cures, and finally we polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. The last step is to polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. In one visit, our team can treat a cavity.
What About Crowns?
If you have a more advanced case, we may need to remove the decay and then cap the tooth with a custom-made dental crown, often created from materials like porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or zirconia, which again we can shade to blend with the smile. if you have an infected tooth, we can use a root canal to remove the infected tissues, and then we cap the tooth with a crown to keep it strong and safe. We want to help you enjoy a full and beautiful smile. If you have any questions about how we treat issues like tooth decay or infection, or if you have an aching tooth, then let us know right away.
Your Astoria, NY, Dentist Offers Restorative Treatment
Our team wants to help treat cavities with a lifelike dental restoration, so you can smile with confidence and enjoy good oral health! To learn more about how we address issues with your smile’s health, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
