Houston, TX dentist answers, why do my teeth need fillings?

The team of Vivid Dental is here to help patients with general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry concerns. In addition to protecting teeth with dental crowns and restoring smiles after tooth loss, Dr. Monti Harpalani also offers dental fillings services for Houston, TX, area patients. Dental fillings are used when teeth have experienced minor to moderate decay due to cavities. In most instances, cavities form due to poor oral health habits and are completely preventable with proper care of the smile every day.

What is a cavity?

A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth’s enamel and structure due to acids and sugars that eat away at the natural tooth enamel. These cavities need to be filled with a material such as composite resin bonding to keep the cavity from becoming larger and to avoid infection of the inner dental pulp of a tooth. Cavities are easily avoided, with proper oral health habits, including:

• Brushing after meals
• Flossing at least once a day
• Visiting the dentist regularly for examinations

How does a filling work?

A cavity is like a hole in the natural tooth. It may be wide or deep, but either way, it can cause sensitivity and pain. Using a composite resin material that is matched to the patient’s natural tooth color, the dentist will fill the hole left behind and seal the tooth. In cases where a large cavity is present, alternative treatments may be considered, including the placement of a crown, root canal therapy, or even extraction. By monitoring oral health over time, patients can avoid the more serious implications of leaving cavities untreated.

What will my filling look like?

Because Dr. Monti Harpalani uses tooth-colored materials such as composite resin, the fillings are difficult to discern in the mouth. Composite resin matches the surrounding structure, and most patients will be unable to tell where a cavity has been filled.

Call Vivid Dental today

Houston, TX, area families are welcome to book an appointment with Dr. Monti Harpalani by calling 281-809-4902. The office accepts new patients and continues to provide the best in dental care in the community.