Cavities are all too common and all too easy to get. For most cavities, a filling or restoration is the recommended answer. Acids in food and inside your body can easily break down tooth enamel if overexposed and if combined with poor oral hygiene. Bacteria from plaque (a sticky film that coats teeth and contains bacteria) produce acids in the mouth and can lead to tooth decay. Luckily, filling most cavities is a quick procedure. You’ll likely be numbed, which can last for a few hours after the filling is over.
It usually takes about an hour to finish up, and then it’s good as new! You might feel pressure while they’re working, but it shouldn’t be painful. It involves a resin – a sort of plastic – that your dentist tints to match the natural shade of your teeth. Restorations are not only for cavities, but even a fractured or chipped tooth can also be restored.
