FILLINGS

Sometimes, when food and debris have not been cleared away effectively from the tooth surface, the bacteria in the mouth will consume the residual carbohydrates and release an acid as their waste product- this acid demineralizes the tooth surface and creates a cavity. Once the cavity has progressed into the dentin of the tooth, it can begin to grow quickly and can cause discomfort or structural damage. In order to arrest this process, we will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and place a filling to replace it. By taking regular x-rays we can identify these smaller cavities and repair them before they become a painful and bigger problem such as an infected or broken tooth.