Dental Fillings in Manalapan Township, NJ

Nearly 69-70% of children and 95% of adults have dental cavities. Cavities, also known as caries, are the slow destruction of the hard, outer layer of your tooth known as ‘tooth enamel’. These statistics make cavity treatment one of the most common – and one of the most important – procedures in dental clinics.

Our reputed dentist at Union Hill Dental explains what happens inside a decayed tooth and why you should get it treated at the earliest.

Important Things to Know About Cavities

There is no direct connection between cavity size and pain. You can have a relatively minor cavity that hurts when you chew. On the other hand, you may have a larger cavity with no symptoms at all.

Lack or absence of pain or discomfort does not imply that you don’t have cavities. Only a dental exam can highlight exactly how many cavities you have along with their location, size, and position. If a minor sensitivity is left neglected, it can transform into a full-blown infection and cause severe pain at a later stage.

The first line of defense against a cavity is usually a filling. Our dentist in Manalapan Township, NJ will use a putty-like composite resin to fill a cavity and then harden it to seal off the gap. This prevents the cavity from being exposed to bacteria and decay.

What Happens Inside a Decayed Tooth

A cavity does not suddenly appear out of nowhere. The process of decay starts with surface damage in the enamel that gradually grows deeper, wider, and larger. The decay then intensifies with bacteria in the mouth that feed on food sugars and release corrosive acid that attacks tooth enamel.

There is a long time (usually several weeks or months) between surface enamel damage and the appearance of a cavity. During this time, there is ample time to insert dental fillings or treat the cavity before it gets out of hand. If the cavity reaches the roots of the tooth, the patient may need root canal treatment.

Contact Union Hill Dental IN Manalapan Township, NJ today for more information on affordable dental fillings near you.