Fillings in St. Catharines, ON
Do you have a cavity that is causing pain or discomfort? Please contact our team of trained dentists near you for a consultation and assessment.
How Cavities Are Formed
Cavities do not form overnight; they take months and sometimes years to form. They may not cause any symptoms during the early stages. Over time, bacteria attack the tooth enamel, and the cavity gradually grows bigger. They begin to hurt when nerves get exposed, or infection reaches the tooth chamber. Once the cavity spreads to the gums or pulp, we may need to perform root canal therapy or an extraction.
An untreated cavity can transform into an abscess (a pocket of pus) or a fracture. Our reliable dentists in St. Catharines, ON can detect cavities during dental exams and insert fillings before the cavity spreads.
How Fast Do Cavities Grow?
Cavity formation and growth depends on different factors, such as:
- Acidity levels in the oral cavity
The higher the acidity levels, the faster the cavity is likely to spread.
- Location of the tooth
Rear teeth are generally more prone to cavities due to pits and fissures on the chewing surface.
- Thickness and Quality of Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel tends to be thinner near the gum line, and this is why most cavities are formed close to the gum tissue. Also, strong and thick tooth enamel is less prone to cavity-formation compared to thin enamel. The thickness of the tooth enamel often depends on genetic factors.
How Dental Fillings Help
Decay and cavities make teeth hollow and degrade the quality of the enamel. Filings in St. Catharines, ON are used to seal the hole left behind by a cavity and prevent air and germs from getting into the tooth pulp. One of the key advantages of placing a filling near you is to restore the tooth’s function and appearance.
Dental fillings form a protective barrier against bacterial attacks and can also be used to correct cracked or chipped teeth. We can insert a filling in a single appointment, and our expert dentists will determine the most suitable fillings for your needs.
Dental Filling FAQs
The filling that works best depends on where the filling is located and which tooth is being filled.
Patients with fillings in the front teeth prefer ceramic fillings that can be colored to match the normal color of teeth so that the filling is less noticeable when a person smiles or shows their teeth.
Metal fillings are more appropriate for the back molars that don't show when a person smiles. Another reason metal fillings are the best choice for the back teeth is that the back teeth endure more pressure from chewing, which means the fillings need to be more durable than the front teeth.
The amount of fillings a person has is directly proportional to how well they care for their teeth. The average adult gets around three cavities in their lifetime, so having 3 to 4 fillings is considered average, though with poor oral hygiene, this number can increase.
Yes, fillings are not permanent, so at some point, all fillings will need to be replaced. Fillings constantly deal with stress from eating and drinking, which causes the filling to weaken and eventually needs to be replaced.
Other factors can make your fillings need to be replaced sooner, such as accidents and damage to teeth. Teeth clenching and grinding will also cause your fillings to be replaced faster.
There is no limit on how often a dentist can replace a filling. The general rule of thumb is that once there is more filling material than the natural tooth left, the filling loses its effectiveness because the tooth is no longer strong enough.
Each time a filling is replaced, the hole for the filling grows slightly larger and erodes part of the natural tooth. This can only happen so many times before the tooth's integrity is compromised. At that point, the dentist may suggest other options.
The time it takes for the filling to set depends on the filing a patient gets. Composite fillings harden immediately under UV light, but the dentist will usually recommend waiting at least 24 hours before chewing on the side with the filling to avoid damaging the filling right after the dentist puts it in place.
