Protect your teeth from decay with dental fillings from Blyholder Family Dentistry; call (316) 684-4921.
Many people are particularly anxious about getting dental fillings. First, the sound of the drill is enough to make their hearts skip a beat. Then, walking into the dental office or waiting room causes uncertainty.
If you have been delaying treatment for a cavity or aching tooth because you don’t want to face the prospect of dental fillings in Wichita, KS, Blyholder Family Dentistry is here for you.
Although tooth enamel is a rigid, durable material, it cannot grow back or heal from damage. In most cases, when tooth decay eats through the tooth enamel, the best way to prevent tooth decay from furthering tooth damage is to drill out the affected section and replace the missing material with a filling.
Dental fillings typically contain a durable material, such as an alloy of metals or ceramic. Although some fillings contain mercury, they do not risk poisoning the patient because the body absorbs only a minuscule amount of mercury.
White fillings, made of white composite material, will match the color of your teeth, but they tend to cost more and are not as strong as metal or amalgam fillings.
When you visit the dentist for a filling, the dentist will first numb the area with a local anesthetic such as Novocain. The dentist might also use a sedative or nitrous oxide to relax particularly anxious patients.
The dentist then drills into the tooth to remove the decayed enamel. Finally, a skilled dentist carefully preserves the healthy tooth as much as possible to keep it solid and stable.
Tooth cavities are the main reasons that people need dental fillings. They occur when acid from bacteria in teeth dissolves tooth enamel, causing a small hole in the tooth’s enamel. Once a hole develops, food particles can get stuck in the cavity, and brushing might not easily remove them. In addition, as the cavity grows, it might penetrate the dentin and reach the pulp of the tooth and the nerve, causing a toothache.
Prompt fillings treatment is vital because an infection could progress deeper into the tooth until it reaches the nerve, causing tooth pain. Once the tooth’s interior is damaged, your dentist might have to perform a root canal or tooth extraction. In addition, regular dental check-ups identify cavities early while they are small, making it less likely that you will need fillings.
At Blyholder Family Dentistry, we are committed to the long-term dental health of our patients. We listen to each of our patient’s concerns and do whatever we can to reassure patients throughout the procedure. As a family practice, we understand the critical role of good dental care in every stage of life, from childhood to advanced adulthood.
If you need dental fillings in Wichita, KS, call Blyholder Family Dentistry at (316) 684-4921 to schedule an appointment.