Stop cavities with dental fillings

At Hiebert Smith Dental Group, we hear from patients who are diagnosed with cavities that they take great care of their teeth. They may be in denial that a cavity has formed. Some patients are just more susceptible to the development of cavities than others, due to the levels of bacteria that reside in their mouth. While cavities can be a concern, they are actually easy to address with dental fillings.

Stop cavities with dental fillings

The placement of dental fillings is a routine procedure provided by Drs. David Hiebert and Keri Smith of the Saint Helens, OR area. The teeth are prepared by removing the decayed areas. Then, a material known as composite resin bonding is then placed into the area to seal the tooth. Composite resin bonding matches the patient’s natural enamel to ensure it is difficult to discern from the natural tooth structure. Fillings can help stop cavities from becoming larger and impacting the teeth in a more serious manner.

Who needs dental fillings?

Any patient who has developed a cavity and has been diagnosed with tooth decay at our office will want to consider the advantages of placing dental fillings. Untreated cavities can become larger and deeper, and infect the inner canals of the teeth. This requires root canal therapy to treat—or extraction. Instead, patients should get their condition diagnosed in the early stages, which is why we strongly recommend visiting the dentist every six months for an evaluation. This helps our team monitor your oral health and catch problems early enough for successful intervention.

What if the decay is too large to treat with a filling?

Some areas of tooth decay may be significant enough to be unsuccessfully treated with fillings. In these situations, the dentist may place a dental crown over the tooth to give it an extra layer of protection and strength to protect it from further damage. The integrity of the tooth may be impacted by the large cavity, making it susceptible to damage without a dental crown for protection.

Call Hiebert Smith Dental Group to schedule an evaluation

If you are interested in learning more about dental care solutions for your smile and want a full evaluation with our staff, call Drs. David Hiebert and Keri Smith of Saint Helens, OR today. The practice is located at 1550 Saint Helens Street and can be reached by phone at (503) 397-6144.