Prevent Further Decay With A Filling
When cavities, or small holes, begin to form on your teeth it is important that they be filled as soon as possible. Dr. Nicholls stresses the importance of this because these holes compromise the strength of your teeth, making chips and severe breaks much more likely. Additionally, since the surface of the tooth has been penetrated, these holes can lead to severe infections to the interior of your tooth, which eventually will lead to a root canal. At Richard Nicholls, DDS we have several options available for treating cavities.
Amalgam fillings
The most traditional, proven method for treating a cavity is by using an amalgam (silver-amalgam based) filling. Today amalgam fillings are popular due to their durability, and they are the best choice for larger cavities that must endure the stresses of heavy chewing.
Composite fillings
Another option to treat a cavity is to use a composite resin filling. This method is preferred by many because the coloring of the filling can be matched to the natural shade of tooth color, making them (if at all) much less visible than amalgams. They provide significant strength to the restoration, though less than an amalgam, so they are best used on small to mid sized cavities that will endure moderate chewing pressure. Also there is less drilling required for this type of filling, so more of the natural tooth can be preserved.
Ionomer fillings
Ionomer fillings are made from glass particle mixed with acrylic acids. They are colored to match your natural teeth, so they are practically invisible once placed. Ionomer fillings are the most fragile, which is why they are only implemented on very small cavities, especially cavities affecting on teeth roots. Since these cavities are often very small there is very little drilling required when compare to other types of fillings.
Dr. Nicholls is very experienced at determining the best style of filling based on each patient’s needs, and he will be sure to take great care reviewing your case. Cavities will usually be identified during a cleaning appointment, and then filled when a later one is scheduled. If you need to schedule a 6 month cleaning, or for more information on cavity fillings in Cloverdale, contact our office today.
