Why More People Have Tooth Fillings than You Know

Some concerns that your teeth can develop may be more common than you realize. For example, if you notice that your teeth are stained, you can feel better knowing that you’re not alone, and most people experience tooth stains at some point in their lives. The same can be true for cavities, which are a result of tooth decay and can affect almost anyone at some point. However, thanks to advanced treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, treating a cavity can be more discreet than you might expect.

The prevalence of tooth decay

Tooth decay and the cavities it causes are the most common chronic oral health concerns for patients of all ages. That’s because they develop as a result of oral bacteria, which naturally inhabit your mouth, attacking your teeth when they accumulate in enough numbers. The point of sticking to good dental hygiene and preventive dental care routines is to help prevent this accumulation and the resulting attacks on your teeth. However, that isn’t always 100% successful, and even a small amount of bacteria that’s allowed to remain on your tooth can lead to the processes that cause a cavity to form in it.

The point of filling a cavity

Tooth decay is an infection in your tooth structure caused by bacteria, and a cavity is the depression (or hole) in your tooth that develops and grows during the process. The good news for many people who experience a cavity is that it can often be treated conservatively with a tooth filling. The point of a filling is to remove the infected tooth structure and “fill” the cavity with biocompatible material to restore the tooth. Traditionally, the material placed in the cavity has often been a mixture of metals known as amalgam, which can offer a high amount of sturdiness when restoring the tooth.

The nature of tooth-colored fillings

One of the common complaints about traditional metal fillings is the fact that their appearance is hard to miss. The clash of metal against the natural color and structure of your tooth can make it obvious that you’ve had a cavity treated in that area. However, today’s tooth fillings are often designed from more natural and lifelike material, known as composite resin, that offers significantly enhanced results in several areas. For instance, the resin can be customized and tinted to match your tooth’s unique color and appearance, allowing the restoration to blend in with your tooth and remain unnoticeable.

Benefit from a more discreet tooth filling

Cavities can affect almost anyone, but with a discreet tooth-colored filling, you can treat yours without anyone knowing. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.