Some dental treatments are better at addressing certain concerns than others. For example, if your tooth has a substantial fracture or break in it, then a custom dental crown might be the optimal solution for repairing and restoring the tooth. In the case of a cavity, which is a more common condition than extensive tooth damage, the most appropriate treatment will depend on the extent of your condition. For many patients, treating the cavity early means they have a higher chance of successfully restoring their tooth and oral health with a minimally invasive tooth filling.

What happens when a cavity develops?

The best way to protect any tooth from a cavity is to prevent the cavity from ever forming. This requires consistently good dental hygiene and preventive dental care to prevent the excess buildup of oral bacteria that leads to tooth decay and cavities. When a cavity does develop, however, treating it as soon as possible is the next best thing. The decay that causes it will grow more severe over time, making the cavity in your tooth larger.

What a tooth filling can do for your tooth

When you address a cavity early enough with a tooth filling, you can stop it from growing larger and threatening more of your natural tooth structure. The process of filling a cavity involves first cleaning the cavity to remove all traces of harmful oral bacteria and infected tooth structure. Then, your dentist can fill the cavity with a biocompatible material, such as tooth-colored composite resin, to restore the structure that’s already been decayed. The reason early treatment matters is because any infected tooth structure has to be removed. The more the decay progresses, the more of your natural tooth structure you’ll lose to it.

Why it’s important to fill the cavity early

Keeping your tooth filling procedure minimally invasive and preserving your healthy tooth structure are two of the most important reasons for treating a cavity as early as possible. For the sake of your tooth’s long-term health and integrity, these aspects help ensure that your tooth remains safe and free of decay after the cavity is filled. For instance, by preventing decay from eroding more of your tooth’s structure, you can prevent the tooth from losing more of its structural integrity. You can also minimize how much of your tooth must be modified or removed in order to restore it.

Learn more about treating your cavity

For many people who develop cavities, addressing it early with a custom-designed tooth filling can be the best way to save the tooth from more extensive decay. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600.