How Long Does it Take to Fill 3 Dental Cavities?

Dental fillings help to restore the tooth to its complete functionality. Since tooth filling is a simple process, it does not take long to finish. Usually, to fill a moderate cavity, it does not take more than 40 minutes per tooth. However, if you have three holes in the mouth, you can expect a few hours at the dental clinic. Multiple factors affect the time it takes to fill a cavity. It includes the signs, location, dental health of the patient, and the material the professional uses.

What Are the Main Causes of Dental Cavities?

Below are the most common causes behind the formation of cavities:

Tooth Decay

The main reason for cavity development is tooth decay. It’s a natural process that happens with time. As the decay develops, the acid and the bacteria continue to move through the teeth and inner pulp.

Since there is no area for the swelling to expand inside the tooth, the tooth nerve compresses. This results in pain and discomfort. If you find a dry mouth, immediately contact the dentist in Houston, TX. He/she will suggest the best methods to protect teeth from dental decay.

Untreated Medical Disorder or Disease

Ignoring a medical disease or disorder results in serious consequences. It means it affects more than the region the condition affects directly. For example, sleep apnea and snoring can lead to a dry mouth when the patient struggles to breathe during sleep. Severe bruxism can also cause the wearing down of teeth. It increases the risk of dental caries.

Ignoring Routine Dental Visits

Many people ignore dental clinic visits. However, ignoring this could result in more big issues, and costly and time-consuming treatments later. Since tooth decay symptoms are not easily noticeable, fixing a routine dental exam and cleaning is worth it. They help to detect cavities at the early stage. Regular cleaning helps to remove tartar or plaque accumulation that can cause decay.

Poor Dietary Choices

Another cause of dental cavities could be the intake of a diet with a high level of acidic and sugary content. The bits from these foods and beverages accumulate in the teeth and are tough to eliminate. When they stay on the teeth for a long time, it leads to decay.

Poor Dental Hygiene

Flossing and brushing regularly eliminate the plaque build-up from the teeth. Therefore, it is essential to stick to good dental hygiene habits. Ignoring this could result in plaque build-up. It ultimately attacks the enamel and results in tooth decay.

Types of Dental Fillings Used to Cure Cavities

When the dentist finds that tooth decay has progressed into a serious stage, he/she recommends tooth filling in Houston. They can be made using materials like porcelain, composite resin, dental amalgam, etc.

Ceramic Fillings

Ceramic dental fillings are highly resistant to abrasions and stains. However, they are costly, like gold fillings.

Composite Fillings

A composite filling is the same as the tooth color. It means the dental professional can pick the shade that resembles the shade of existing teeth closely. When compared to amalgam fillings, the process requires less tooth removal. However, composite fillings can take extra visits or more time to place. Also, these restorations only last for 5 years.

Gold Fillings

Gold fillings are longer-lasting than other types. They stay for around 10-15 years. However, they may need multiple office visits and can be more costly.

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings (aka silver fillings) are less costly than composite fillings. But they may have certain disadvantages. Firstly, they may create a gray shade to the nearby tooth structure or need more tooth removal. Due to the potential for the amalgam material to contract and expand, they may increase the chances of tooth fractures and cracks.

Glass Ionomer Fillings

Glass ionomer fillings are a combination of a special kind of glass and acrylic material. This type produces fluoride that can help prevent further decay. The dentist mostly uses glass ionomer fillings to fill the area below the gum lining. But these restorations are more likely to experience fractures than composite resin fillings.

The dentist at Rosary Dental will help you find the best filling for treating dental cavities.