Tooth-Colored Fillings & Cavities in Newtown, PA

Why Cavities Form

Cavities are the number one cause of tooth loss, so it is important to know how to identify, prevent, and treat them. Also referred to as tooth decay, cavities are the most common dental problem. Fortunately, cavities can be discovered in early stages and treated simply. Cavities can stem from improper home care, a lack of brushing and flossing, a diet high in sugar, smoking, a lack of fluoride, and the use of drugs that decrease saliva production.

Symptoms — and Why You Might Not Have Them

When cavities are forming, they can have symptoms that are difficult to notice. These symptoms include slight sensitivity to cold and mild discoloration of the tooth surface. As the cavity advances, a dark spot becomes more apparent and the tooth sensitivity will increase. When a cavity reaches the tooth's pulp, it can become painful and you may experience a bad taste in your mouth. If a cavity is not treated at this point, the tooth becomes prone to infection, can abscess, and be lost. When one tooth is lost, the other teeth tend to shift — and that causes additional discomfort.

Why We Use Tooth-Colored Fillings

With advances in today's modern dental technology, we offer a composite resin material that can match the exact color of your tooth. We do not place mercury Amalgam fillings — we haven't for over 35 years. The composite is bonded to your tooth, so the preparation is more conservative (we save more healthy tooth structure), and the result is stronger, more aesthetic, and free from concerns about mercury vapor or thermal stress on the tooth.

Treatment Options by Cavity Size

Depending on the cavity's advancement, there are different types of treatments:

• Fillings — for small cavities, removing the affected portion and replacing with bonded composite or porcelain
• Onlays — for medium cavities, often done in a single visit with CEREC
• Crowns — for larger cavities or fractures, often done in a single visit with CEREC
• Root Canal Therapy — if decay reaches the pulp; typically followed with a crown to protect the tooth (we refer this to a trusted endodontist)

Cavity Prevention

It is in your control to prevent small problems from becoming bigger problems. Here's what helps most:

• Brush at least twice a day, floss at least once a day
• Avoid bathing your teeth in sugary drinks throughout the day
• Visit the dentist every six months for a complete checkup
• Get a professional cleaning twice a year (sooner if tartar buildup is high)
• Replace mouth-breathing with nasal breathing where possible — mouth breathing dries the mouth and accelerates decay

A Note for Parents

Kids who come in with cavities often share a few patterns: they're eating gummies, drinking soda, or snacking on sticky carbs. We tell them what's going on, work with the parent on diet, and get the kid fixed up. Then we see the following years that they're in pretty good shape. They convert from dreading the dentist to a happy dental patient. Catching it early makes all the difference.