Dental Fillings in Woodbridge Township New Jersey
Our oral cavity is home to millions of bacteria. While some of these bacteria are good for our health, others can lead to dental infection and other health problems. Decay is the process of demineralization of natural teeth by acids produced by bacteria. This process threatens the existence of teeth. Therefore dentists take every step to cure decayed teeth and prevent the infection from spreading. Dental fillings are one of the materials used to restore a decayed tooth. The teeth receive physical support from dental fillings and the bacteria is prevented from entering the interior of the natural tooth. If you have a toothache or if you doubt that you have a tooth decay, make an appointment and meet our dentist. We have patients who visit us from Woodbridge Township, Fords, NJ and surrounding communities to receive our quality dental care.
When is a dental filling needed?
Dental fillings are used to restore a tooth that has a cavity. Tooth decay is a process of demineralization of natural teeth. The bacteria in the oral cavity form a bio-film over the surface of teeth which is called plaque. The bacteria feed on sugary foods and generate acids. These acids are capable of destroying natural teeth. As a result, a cavity is formed in the tooth. If left untreated, the cavity expands and the bacteria can gain access to the interior of the tooth. This can finally end with tooth loss and spreading of infection to other teeth.
Dental fillings are one of the first lines of defenses against bacterial invasion. The fillings are used to fill the cavity and prevent the bacteria from expanding its territory in the tooth. There are different types of materials used for dental fillings. The choice depends on the needs of the patient and the tooth which is being restored.
Dental fillings – How are they applied?
The first step in treating tooth decay is to remove the decayed part of a tooth. A local numbing agent is used to numb the tooth before it is treated. The dentist may use different types of instruments to remove the infected part. The cavity is checked to see if it is free from bacteria. Then the cavity is prepared to hold the fillings. Then the filling is applied in the cavity using an appropriate procedure. Some fillings may require a special light to be shined on them for quick hardening.
Gold filling
This type of filling is mostly used for back teeth since they have good load bearing capability. The filling does not wear easily and therefore has a long life.
Composite filling
Composite fillings can be matched to the color of teeth. These fillings are used for teeth which are visible. They require less amount of natural tooth to be removed. These fillings are not highly resistant to wear.
