You know that we suggest a dental filling to address tooth decay. However, trying to figure out on your own whether you require this or another restorative treatment is typically impossible. To begin, determining whether you need a filling requires you to schedule a visit to our office, so we can examine your tooth. Not sure if you really need to see us? Here’s our suggestion: Keep up with your six-month checkups. If your tooth bothers you at all between checkups, call us. The worst that will happen is we discover your tooth is completely healthy! As for the particulars, learn more by understanding how we restore damaged teeth.

Does Your Tooth Hurt?

A toothache may be a sign that you have a cavity and need a dental filling. When a hole develops in your tooth, your nerves may become exposed, resulting in sensitivity and pain. However, a toothache is often a symptom of a variety of other concerns. Again, the best course of action is to schedule an appointment.

How Big Is Your Cavity?

Let’s say we find a cavity in your tooth. In most cases, we will suggest a dental filling to remove the decayed tissue and restore the structure of your tooth. However, every cavity is not alike. Very large cavities – or those that have lead to significant damage – may require a dental crown instead of a filling. This usually occurs when the remaining tooth tissue is quite fragile.

Is Your Tooth Infected?

Severe tooth decay often results in an infection. You see, the opening in your tooth may permit bacteria to enter the interior portion of your tooth. If your tooth is infected, we may need to skip the filling and perform a root canal treatment to clear the infection. We will then cover your tooth with a crown.