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More than 3 million cavities are being diagnosed every year in the United States, so you are not alone if you or someone in your family has a cavity. If you see that you have a cavity, you may be asking yourself, what do I do now?
What to do depends on how severe the cavity is. If the cavity is discovered at an early stage, we can perform a dental filling procedure and explain to you all about the different types of filings.

Dental Fillings Procedure
First of all, we will begin the procedure by administering a local anaesthetic. This is done to numb the area around the tooth; this way, the pain will be reduced or even eliminated. The tooth will be isolated by the dentist in order to keep it dry and to prevent any contamination. This will be done by using some kind of guard or a dental appliance. After this and after inspecting the severity of the cavity, a special tool designed for this kind of procedure will be used to remove the decayed area of the tooth.
The dentist, after the decay has been removed, will prepare the tooth for the filling. This is done by cleaning it so there is no bacteria, decay, or debris, which can cause future problems. A filling material will be applied by the dentist. The final step of this dental filling procedure is to test your bite. By doing this, the dentist will notice if your teeth are correctly aligned and after this, polish to leave the filling as smooth as your other teeth.

Different Types of Fillings
Your dentist can use a number of different materials to fill your teeth. We are going to give you a list of the most common fillings.

Porcelain/ Ceramic
If you are seeking a more natural appearance, this is the filling you need. The cons of this type of filling are the fragility it has and also the price. It’s not one of the cheapest fillings you can find.

Composite
This kind of filling is made from mixing powdered glass and acrylic resin. This is another filling that can make your teeth have a more natural appearance. It has become very popular because they can be colored. This filling can match your natural tooth, so it’s quite different from a silver or gold filling.

Sealants
This is a clear coating that fills in the crevasses on the occlusal service which is the biting surface of the tooth of the pre-molar and molar teeth to help prevent decay in the deeper crevasses. This is typically recommended for children when these teeth first come in to avoid cavities since children may not spend enough time brushing in the morning and before bedtime.

If you notice that a tooth may have a cavity or a filling has broken contact us for Dr. Weiss to do an exam to determine what type of filling is best needed. We are currently accepting new patients. Call our dental office today at 410-666-9266 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!