You may be thinking to yourself that the only reason for a dental filling is a cavity. You would, of course, be correct that we do provide fillings for cavities but tooth decay is not the only reason we may offer this restorative treatment. For a more thorough understanding of what a filling is and the fact that there are multiple reasons why we may suggest you receive one, we encourage you to consider some interesting information.
A Filling For A Cavity
If you are receiving a dental filling for a cavity then we will begin by removing the tissue decaying within the small hole in your tooth. We will then fill up the open area with composite – a material that we can match to the shade of your natural tooth tissue (hence the term “tooth-colored”). Composite is easy to mold into any desired shape, making it easy to rectify a cavity.
Surprising Reasons For Fillings
Let’s say you don’t have a cavity – is there another reason to receive a dental filling? Actually, while the procedure may be slightly different, the answer is yes – there are other reasons we may fill an open space in your tooth with composite that does not rely solely on removing tooth decay. Consider the following:
- In some instances, you may accidentally damage a small amount of your tooth – we may be able to use composite to restore the missing tooth tissue
- When you receive root canal treatment, we seal your roots with a rubber-like material known as gutta percha – we may then fill the remaining empty body of your tooth with a filling to restore your tooth’s structure before covering it with a crown
ABOUT YOUR LONGVIEW, TX, DENTISTS:
At DentaCare Dental in Longview, TX, we focus on advanced technology, education, and comfort to offer every patient a pleasant experience and excellent dental care. To schedule a consultation, call our Longview, TX, office today at (903) 758-5921. For optimal convenience, we also serve patients at our other location in Tyler, TX.