What Are Solutions to Tooth Decay?

As just about everyone knows, brushing and flossing are essential to maintaining a person’s oral hygiene. But not everyone may understand the true ramifications of poor oral hygiene. Learning not only the result of poor hygiene but also potential treatments (like fillings or inlays and onlays treatment by dentists in Monroeville, Pa.) can make sure you are prepared for any eventuality when it comes to your oral health. Tooth DecayrnMaintaining a clean mouth is more than just about preserving a beautiful smile. It can be a vital step in sustaining your oral health. Brushing may not seem like much, but the friction and toothpaste together get rid of the multitude of bacteria that live in your mouth. Without constant brushing to keep your teeth clean, these bacteria can grow rapidly and eat away at the enamel protecting your teeth until the tooth itself is attacked. This process, in which bacteria slowly but steadily burrow into your teeth, is what dentists call tooth decay. Tooth decay ultimately results cavities. The movement of the bacteria results in tunneling holes that extend into the tooth itself, leaving behind cavities that need to be filled to maintain the structural soundness of the tooth. Luckily, dentists have a variety of solutions when it comes to cavities. FillingsrnThe most common treatment for cavities is your ordinary dental filling, which can be made of a variety of materials from metal alloys called amalgams (usually a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper) to precious metals like gold to glass and plastic combinations called composites. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, but the currently most popular material is dental composites. They are made from a combination of base materials like glass and plastic and are thus able to become chemically bound to the teeth they fill. As a result, composites are stronger than other types of fillings and can last for a longer period of time. Perhaps more importantly, composites are more esthetically pleasing than any alternative. Composites can be dyed to match the surrounding tooth exactly, making the filling virtually undetected by a bystander whereas any other material leaves behind a distinctive metallic sheen that immediately draws attention to the previously decayed tooth. Inlays and OnlaysrnFillings tend to be ideal solutions when the cavity is small, but they can be problematic when used to fill a large cavity. Fillings are characterized by the way they are placed in the mouth. The material tends to be soft when molded into place and harden over time. This procedure makes a lot of sense conceptually but present a problem in practicality as the overall result tend to be a weaker tooth when the cavity is large enough. That’s why inlays and onlays are becoming popular choices to replace fillings for large cavities and tooth decay. Unlike with fillings, inlays and onlays are formed outside the mouth and are installed in an already-hardened state, making them stronger and more durable. Inlays are attached to the center of the tooth, and onlays are attached to the cusp of the tooth, but either method can ensure a sturdy replacement for a filling. If you ever experience tooth decay that leaves to a large cavity, you should look into inlay and onlays treatment by Monroeville dentists, to figure out if this technology is the best solution for you. Inlays and onlays are often overlooked for the more commonly used filling, so knowing about this potential option can help you optimize your oral health standards.