Dental Fillings Are Essential After Treating Cavities

We complete dental fillings every single day at Muhlenberg Dental Associates. They are the single most used procedure, with everyone from children to grandparents needing to get cavities repaired at some point. When you come in for dental fillings we believe that you should leave with one and an assurance that the tooth will not easily experience decay again.

To accomplish this task, we will carefully remove all the decay and then work to remove any of the enamel that the decay may damage. Finally, we will fill the hole that has been created, also known as the cavity.

When are dental fillings needed?

Many of our patients, except our young ones, know that decay is due to bacteria in the mouth which forms a thin film of plaque over the teeth. When one introduces sugary or starchy foods to the teeth, this bacteria secrets acid. The acid eats at the tooth until cavity forms. What most people do not realize is that the teeth actually fight against decay.

In fact, the teeth are able to make minor repairs to themselves using calcium and phosphate in the saliva, water, and fluoride. It is only when the tooth cannot access any of these essential minerals, after multiple assaults by the acids on the enamel, that the bacteria is able to create a cavity and a need for dental fillings.

Dental filling technology

When it comes to dental fillings, we are always interested in improvements in technology that will make them better for patients. If you remember, it was not that long ago that most fillings were made of metal which made it obvious which teeth previously had cavities. We now offer white dental fillings that allow us to inexpensively repair more prominent teeth while also giving the patient the clean white look that he or she wants.

The science behind dentistry continues to evolve. In 2012, the University of Maryland Dental School came up with a new cavity filling system that fills the cavity, but also to kill any residual bacteria that may survive the cleaning. The treatment may also help the tooth regrow some of the lost tissue in the fight against the bacteria. The use of silver nanoparticles, in addition to ammonia, makes the primer, the bonding agent, and the filling itself help to kill off any bacteria.

While this particular method remains in clinical trials, it is an example of the kind of innovation being tested in laboratories across the country with the goal of making dental work less necessary. If we are able to help the natural order of enamel in re-growing and regenerating itself, combine that with a system that kills all bacteria, and provide you with the means to avoid cavities in the future, it will be a huge accomplishment for the dental world. In our dental office in Reading, we will continue to watch as this new technology develops and to provide you with the best possible dental care.