About 92% of adults have dental cavities. Cavities form when bacteria creates tiny holes in the enamel surface of your teeth. Untreated cavities can lead to advanced tooth decay, but treatment is simple with dental fillings.
Since cavities are so common, it’s no surprise that dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures. Fillings get their name because they fill and seal holes in teeth - but did you know they aren’t just for cavities?
Fillings can treat damaged, cracked teeth, too. Kohei Morita, DDS, and our team at Morita Dental specialize in tooth-colored dental fillings, and we recommend them for much more than cavities. A filling adds strength and prevents additional damage, and it could be the solution for your smile.
The benefits of dental fillings
Whether you suffered an acute injury (like a blow to the face) or you have advanced tooth decay, a broken, cracked tooth can be quite painful. You might experience tenderness, tooth sensitivity, or pain when you eat hot, cold, or sweet foods.
Ignoring a broken or damaged tooth may increase your risk of oral health complications, but your symptoms could be treated with a dental filling. Dr. Morita and our team use a special tooth-colored material to fill holes and restore strength to weak, damaged teeth.
Adding strength
A cracked or damaged tooth is naturally more fragile than a healthy tooth. Damaged teeth can chip, and a missing piece could change the way you bite down or even expose the sensitive root of your tooth.
Fillings replace missing tooth material with a durable tooth-colored material. Dr. Morita fills in gaps, cracks, and missing parts to restore functionality and strength to your tooth, helping you chew and speak more normally.
Protecting your natural tooth
No one wants to have a tooth pulled. It’s true that extractions are sometimes the best option to preserve your oral health, but a dental filling could offer an alternative. Dr. Morita strives to help you keep your natural teeth whenever possible.
Dental fillings effectively remove existing decay and fill any holes left behind. They add strength to damaged, fragile teeth, and a filling could help you keep your natural tooth. If your tooth is particularly damaged, Dr. Morita may recommend a filling with a dental crown for additional protection.
Getting a filling in a damaged tooth
Dr. Morita offers comprehensive dental exams for all our patients. If you have a painful or broken tooth, he evaluates the extent of the damage during your exam. He may suggest a filling to protect your tooth and prevent damage from progressing.
When you get a filling, it takes about one hour in the office. We start by administering local anesthesia around your tooth. We thoroughly clean your tooth, removing bacteria and decay from the area before creating the filling.
Dr. Morita uses a composite resin to fill your damaged tooth. He carefully shapes the resin to match the shape of your tooth and fit comfortably in your mouth when you bite down. We cure the material with heat or light, and you’re free to go home.
Fillings don’t require any special care. You simply brush and floss your teeth twice a day and continue coming in for regular dental cleanings.
Restore, strengthen, and protect your damaged tooth with a filling. Find out if a dental filling is right for you with a consultation at Morita Dental in Cupertino, California. Contact our team online, or call the office at 408-775-7770.