What is a Cavity?

Unfortunately, there comes a time where most of us get at least one cavity in our lives. While having a cavity filled is often seen as a scary procedure, the truth is, cavities are nothing to worry about, as long as you have them filled in a timely fashion. Essentially, a cavity is caused when bacteria enter a tooth, causing the tooth to decay. When left untreated, the decay will worsen and open you up to serious health problems. Our experienced New Jersey dental team is here to help. Please continue reading and speak with our team to learn more about cavities, dental fillings, and what we can do for you. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What are the different kinds of fillings?

There are various types of fillings you may receive. In most cases, you will either receive composite fillings or amalgam fillings. Composite fillings are affordable and generally used on visible teeth because they are made to match the color of your natural tooth. Amalgam fillings, on the other hand, are used on teeth in the back of the mouth, and they are a great option, as they are very durable–often lasting 10 years or more. Your other options are ceramic fillings, glass ionomer fillings, and gold fillings. Ceramic fillings look the most natural and are stain-resistant, however, they come at a higher price tag and are slightly more brittle. Glass ionomer fillings are primarily used on individuals with lots of tooth decay, or to fill in cavities on baby teeth. Gold fillings are the most durable, however, they are the most expensive option.

Does it hurt to get a cavity filled?

In most cases, having fillings put in place of a cavity is relatively painless, especially compared to the pain you will feel if you let the cavity go untreated. Furthermore, before filling your cavity, your dentist will first inject an anesthetic to make any pain absolutely minimal. From here, your dentist will remove decay from your tooth, either with a drill or a laser, and then he will place the filling. There is a chance that after the procedure, you may feel sensitivity to cold liquids, sweets, or pressure for up to two weeks, though this is completely normal and any discomfort should subside shortly thereafter.

Contact the Dental Associates of Basking Ridge

Dental Associates of Basking Ridge is a compassionate, gentle, and professional state-of-the-art dental practice serving Basking Ridge, Morris & Somerset County. Our office is always ready to greet our patients with a smile, take the time to answer any questions, and provide the quality dental services our patients expect. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!

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