Dental Fillings for Cavities
in Laurel, MD
Our Dental Experts Can Take Care of Your Cavities
What Is a Cavity?
When you come in for a routine cleaning and exam, we will assess the health of your mouth and look for any signs of tooth decay. Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes due to excess plaque, tartar, and buildup. These holes can grow bigger and deeper over time, so it’s important to practice good hygiene habits to not only prevent cavities, but to keep them from getting larger over time.
Brushing at least twice per day for two minutes, as well as flossing daily, is a great way to prevent cavities, but even the best brushers can get them from time to time. If you have any questions about oral hygiene habits or taking steps to prevent tooth decay and cavities, our dental team will be happy to answer them at your scheduled cleaning and exam.
What Is a Filling?
Treating a cavity is a process that involves gently and precisely removing tooth decay and preparing it to secure the new dental filling. Although every patient has different needs depending on their specific situation, you can expect your visit for dental fillings to take about an hour. Dental fillings are performed under local anesthesia, so your tooth and the surrounding gums will be completely numb, and you shouldn’t feel any discomfort. A dental laser, dental drill, or air abrasion technology will be used to remove tooth decay.
Once the decay is excavated and the healthy tooth structure remains, it’s time to place the filling. The type of dental filling material being used determines the manner of placement. Composite fillings, glass ionomer cement, and amalgam fillings are typically placed right away, but a tiny palliative dressing and a temporary filling may be placed in extensive cavity situations. Our dentistry team will check the fit of the filling, do any necessary polishing, and adjust the bite to ensure you’re comfortable and your teeth are still functional.