When a person develops a cavity, the dentist must take special precautions to ensure the tooth remains viable. If the diseased tooth tissue is not removed, the tooth will continue to be degraded until it begins to enter the necrosis phase. At this point, there is nothing that can be done for the tooth other than to pull it. Thankfully, the dentist can save a tooth by applying tooth fillings in Bridgeport CT. A filling seals a tooth after the dentist has removed the decay so the tooth no longer causes pain.
The first step in the process of applying tooth fillings in Bridgeport CT is for the dentist to carefully numb the patient. The entire tooth and surrounding gum tissue must be numbed so the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort while their tooth is being worked on. Once the patient is numb, the dentist will use a special tool to remove the diseased tooth tissue. It is imperative as much diseased tissue is removed as possible so the tooth does not continue to decay.
Once the areas of decay have been removed, an opening is left behind that must be filled. Without a filling, a person would have to deal with nerve exposure and pain. They would also find food and drink enter the crevice openings of their tooth and causes infection. Fillings seal the tooth and prevent further damage by making the tooth stronger.
A filling may be amalgam or composite. There are also metal fillings that can be applied. The most commonly used filling material today is composite because it can be shaded to match a person’s tooth coloration so it is difficult to tell work has been carried out.
Once the tooth has been filled, the dentist will check their patient’s bite to make sure the filling does not compromise it. Most people feel very little discomfort from having a tooth filled but there will be some soreness from the injections of numbing medication.
If you have been dealing with tooth pain and would like to learn more about fillings, browse our website. Call the office today to schedule your dental appointment.
