A dental filling is one of the most common restorative procedures, primarily used to repair a tooth damaged by decay. A cavity is a physical hole in the tooth structure caused by the disease known as dental caries. This breach requires immediate treatment to prevent the damage from expanding. The filling procedure stops the progression of decay and restores the tooth’s integrity.
How Tooth Decay Creates a Cavity
Tooth decay begins when oral bacteria interact with sugars and starches left on the teeth. These bacteria consume the carbohydrates and release acids as a byproduct. This acidic environment leads to demineralization, where the acids dissolve mineral content, such as calcium and phosphate, from the tooth’s hard outer layer, the enamel.
Initially, this mineral loss appears as small, white spots, a stage that might still be reversed with fluoride treatment. If the acid attacks continue unchecked, the enamel’s structure is compromised, and a cavity forms. Once the decay breaks through the enamel, it reaches the underlying dentin, a softer and more porous layer, where the decay process accelerates rapidly. The cavity represents irreversible damage that necessitates professional intervention.
The Purpose of a Dental Filling
The filling procedure serves a dual purpose: to eliminate the infection and reconstruct the damaged tooth structure. The first action a dentist takes is to use specialized instruments to meticulously remove all the decayed material from the cavity. This removal stops the bacterial invasion and prevents the decay from reaching the tooth’s interior.
Once the area is cleaned, the resulting hole is prepared and sealed with a restorative material. This seal physically blocks bacteria and food debris from entering the vulnerable inner layers of the tooth. By filling the space, the tooth’s original form is restored, allowing it to withstand the forces of chewing without fracturing.
Options for Filling Materials
Patients have several choices for the material used to restore their tooth, depending on the tooth’s location and the extent of the damage.
Composite Resin
Composite resin is a common option, made from a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles that can be matched closely to the natural color of the tooth. This material is favored for visible areas because of its excellent aesthetic properties. However, it may not be as durable as other options for large restorations on back teeth.
Amalgam
Amalgam fillings, often referred to as “silver fillings,” are a mixture of metals, including silver, copper, and tin. They are known for their exceptional strength and cost-effectiveness, making them a reliable choice for molars that endure heavy chewing pressure. Their metallic appearance makes them less desirable for teeth that show when smiling.
Glass Ionomer
A third option is glass ionomer, a tooth-colored material often used for small cavities or those near the gum line. It releases fluoride, which can help protect the tooth from future decay.
What Happens If You Skip the Filling
Delaying a dental filling allows the decay to continue its destructive path without obstruction. The cavity will grow larger and deeper, eroding the dentin layer at an increasing rate. This progression eventually leads the bacteria and decay to reach the pulp, the innermost chamber that contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels.
When the pulp becomes infected, it causes pain and swelling, creating a dental abscess—a pocket of pus at the tooth root. At this stage, a simple filling is no longer sufficient, and the patient requires a more complex procedure, such as a root canal, to save the tooth. If the infection is too severe or the tooth structure is too weakened, the tooth may need to be extracted entirely to prevent the infection from spreading.