When you have a cavity, it’s natural to wonder what might happen if you don’t treat it soon. After treating it, though, you should be able to continue about your daily routine without worrying about it anymore (beyond protecting it with good hygiene practices). However, some patients still have trouble due to a failure of their fillings to fully restore and protect their teeth. This can occur for a number of reasons, from inadequate filling materials to improper care, and more. At our Lafayette, LA, dental office, we utilize advanced, lifelike composite resin to place tooth-colored fillings that are more biocompatible and less likely to fail than many traditional ones.
What a filling is supposed to do
Tooth fillings have been around for centuries (and possibly longer), and have gone through countless different iterations before becoming the modern marvels we know today. The reason they’ve remained popular is because their main purpose is to treat one of the most common dental health conditions – cavities. The restoration is placed inside a cavity to stop the tooth decay that causes it from spreading, as well as to fortify and protect the tooth’s remaining healthy, natural structure. Some materials, such as metal amalgam, may not adhere to the tooth’s structure securely enough, or it may change shape over time, making it more likely to fail in those goals at some point in the future.
If the filling fails
When a cavity develops in your tooth, it’s the result of a condition known as tooth decay, which describes an infection in your tooth caused by harmful oral bacteria. One of the more important purposes of a tooth filling is to stop bacteria from re-infecting your tooth after your dentist has cleared away the decay. If your filling fails, then not only will the discomfort of your tooth decay return, but the condition can also worsen, leading to a need for more extensive treatment. For example, internal tooth decay means the infection has reached your tooth’s pulp, nerves, and blood tissues, and root canal therapy could be the only way to effectively remove it.
How to prevent it from failing
If you develop a cavity, then you can reduce the risks of your treatment failing by choosing the most biocompatible option. For a tooth filling, that often means tooth-colored composite resin, which is comprised of finely ground, biocompatible acrylic and quartz-like particles. The resin can be precisely tinted to match the unique color of your healthy tooth structure, making it virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your teeth. The resin also conforms precisely to the shape of your cavity and can be securely bonded to the tooth’s structure, making it a highly effective and durable restoration for cavities of all sizes.
Get a tooth filling that won’t fail
Tooth fillings are highly effective options for treating cavities. But, if not made from the right materials or placed with the right care, a filling can fail and leave your tooth exposed even further. To learn more, or to schedule a dental consultation, call the office of Michael J. Young, DDS, in Lafayette, LA, at 337-237-6453. We proudly serve patients who live in Breaux Bridge, Broussard, Scott, Youngsville, and all surrounding communities.
