Maintain Your Oral Health With General Dentistry – New Westminster, BC

Dental Fillings To Prevent Further Tooth Damage

Once decay breaches the enamel and enters a tooth’s inner area, it becomes necessary to remove it and fill the hole that is left behind in the tooth. Today’s fillings provide a more aesthetic appearance since the composite material can be matched to the existing shade of the patient’s tooth. Additionally, composite fillings are bonded to the tooth, more closely simulating the functionality and performance of a natural tooth, minimizing the risk of cracking or weakening the tooth further. Most dentists today avoid amalgam (silver) fillings due to the controversy surrounding them.

Surgical Root Canals

Once decay has entered the roots of a tooth, it becomes necessary to undergo root canal treatment. During this process, the dentist removes the diseased pulp tissue and replaces it with a substance such as gutta percha. A post is generally inserted to help support the dental crown that is needed to protect the tooth structure. If this treatment is not successful, a surgical root canal and apicoectomy become necessary. During the apicoectomy, the dentist reaches through the gums and bone to gain access to the root tip in order to remove the infection.