Fillings are one of the most common procedures in the dental industry. Most people have at least one filling in their mouth. What many people don’t realize, however, are the many reasons a patient may require tooth fillings in Salisbury NC. Here are some of the most common.
Cavity Repair
If a patient needs a filling, it’s usually because they have a dental cavity. It’s estimated that over 90 percent of adults have experienced a cavity at some point in their life. A cavity forms when decay and bacteria eat away at the outermost layers of a tooth.
If a cavity is diagnosed, it must be treated quickly. A dentist begins the treatment by removing any decay from the tooth. This is done with a dental drill. Once all traces of decay are gone, the dentist fills the remaining hole with a tooth filling.
Root Canal Treatment
A dentist may perform a root canal if a patient has an infection inside the tooth. The only way to remove the diseased tissue is by opening up the tooth. During a root canal, the dentist uses specialized tools to clean out the infection and sterilize the tooth.
Once the infection is under control, the dentist must close the tooth. To do this, they fill in the now hollow roots with a rubber compound. A dental filling is then placed to seal the tooth shut. In many instances, a crown may also be recommended to protect the tooth from further damage.
Dental Bonding
A lesser-known reason for tooth fillings in Salisbury NC is dental bonding. Chipped teeth are very common. If the chip is located on a patient’s front tooth, it may cause them to feel self-conscious about their smile. Dental bonding is often used to repair cosmetic damage.
Bonding involves placing a tooth-colored filling on the affected tooth. The filling material is molded to cover the damage. In addition to repairing chips, many dentists also use dental bonding to correct unwanted gaps between teeth.
Dental fillings have many uses in the world of dentistry. They come in many materials, including resin and metal, which makes fillings suitable for many different applications. Contact us to learn more about the benefits of fillings.
