Tooth Fillings
Regardless of how well you take care of your teeth, everyone is susceptible to cavities. However, the good news is that they can be prevented with diligent home care, and a regular regimen that includes brushing at least twice a day, along with proper flossing.
Dental fillings are used to seal cavities within a tooth after the area has been appropriately cleaned and sanitize. Following the treatment of a tooth, fillings can aid in preventing bacteria from entering the tooth again, along with helping to protect teeth from various forms of decay.
We also utilize these tooth fillings to structurally repair teeth following injuries or accidents.
What Are Cavities?
When the food we eat interact with bacteria in our mouths, the result is a chemical reaction that produces acid. This acid can erode tooth enamel (the white part of the teeth that we can see). This causes the tooth to decay. Eventually, a small hole will form in the tooth’s enamel surface and this is a cavity. As it grows, it’s an open door to infection and further decay that weakens the tooth and leads to pain and tooth loss.
In addition to decay on the enamel crown of a tooth, here are two other places that are vulnerable…
Root Cavity: Gum disease, or aggressive brushing, causes gums to recede, exposing the root and making it vulnerable to acid attacks. Root structure is softer than enamel so cavities can form easily.
Recurrent Decay: This is when a previously placed filling becomes compromised and the edges (or margins) of the filling or broken edges snag food and allow bacteria to seep underneath it. When this happens, decay reoccurs.
What Is The Best Way To Prevent Cavities?
Good home care and see your dentist in Fort Myers at least twice a year for checkups and oral hygiene care. Brush for two minutes twice a day and floss once and eat a balanced diet.
As a dentist in Fort Myers at Daniels Parkway Dental who practices preventive dentistry, we always monitor potential problem areas and catch and repair small cavities before they grow larger and cause more extensive and expensive damage.
Filling Options
There are a number of options for dental fillings, and together, we’ll choose what’s best for your unique situation:
- Tooth-colored composite fillings match your natural tooth-color and are used on teeth in your smile zone (those that are visible when you smile) and for molars.
- Even stronger and better fitting than composite filling is an inlay or onlay. For inlays or onlays, the cavity is removed from the tooth very similar to a composite filling, but instead of a filling be made in the tooth, the inlay or onlay is made outside of the mouth and precisely bonded into the prepared space. This can result in a stronger, better fitting restoration in some cases.
How do I know when I have a cavity?
In most cases, you probably don’t. Most cavities will not hurt although some can be hot and cold sensitive. Some cavities will appear dark, although not all dark things on teeth are cavities. By the time a cavity hurts on its own, the tooth is likely abscessed and will now require either a root canal or an extraction. It is important not to wait for a tooth to hurt before treating a cavity. By then, usually a lot more work is required to fix the problem.
How are cavities formed?
Cavities are a bacteria mediated process. The bacteria are fueled by the sugars and carbohydrates that you eat and drink. Once the bacteria are exposed to the sugars or carbohydrates they can make acid for about 20 minutes. Enough bacteria making enough acid in weak enough teeth will lead to damaging holes in the teeth, what is commonly referred to as a cavity.
Who is at risk for cavities?
Some people are more at risk than others. Some of our risk factors we can control while other risk factors we can’t control. First off, you have to have teeth. People in dentures with no teeth have no risk of cavities. Secondly, you need the right bacteria in your mouth to cause the cavities. Unfortunately, there is very little that we can do to alter the bacteria in your mouth. Cavities don’t run in families, but the mouth bacteria that cause cavities and the eating habits that encourage cavities often do. If the bacteria are in your mouth, they need food which they turn in to acid. The bacteria feed on sugars and carbohydrates, including juices. Some people have misperceptions about foods they consider “healthy” but if the food contains carbohydrates of any sorts, the bacteria that cause cavities can turn that into acid. The bacteria will make the acid for a period of time after being exposed to food or drink containing carbohydrates. Dr. Bryant King often likes to say that the person who sips on a can of coke all day does far more damage to their teeth than a person who drinks 2L of coke in one sitting. Your doctor or dietician may care about how much you eat, but your dentist is more worried about how often you eat. People who sip on something sweet all day (including water with lemon juice) or nibble on a small snack do way more damage to their teeth than someone who consumes larger quantities only at mealtime.
What are the symptoms of cavities?
How are cavities treated?
By removing them. Unfortunately, cutting a cavity out with dental handpieces (drills) and replacing the lost tooth structure with fillings or crowns is still the most effective way we have to treat cavities. Brushing and flossing can help reduce the number of bacteria that cause cavities. Eating and drinking anything containing carbohydrates only at mealtimes can help starve the cavity causing bacteria of the food they need to make acid.
How can I prevent cavities?
Brushing and flossing help reduce the bacteria count and leftover food in the mouth. Regular exams won’t prevent cavities, but they can be detected while smaller and hopefully require less extensive treatment. Fluoride bonds to enamel stronger than calcium does and so makes teeth stronger. Here in Southwest Florida, fluoride occurs naturally in our ground water so even if you are on well water you are likely receiving adequate amounts of fluoride. Tap water may very well be healthier for your kids teeth than bottled water that does not contain fluoride. But if you grew up in Southwest Florida you likely received appropriate amounts of fluoride. Fluoride won’t stop all decay, it just makes the teeth a little stronger to help prevent decay. Fluoride also plays its greatest role in developing teeth in children.
Kind Words From Recent Patients
Daniels Parkway Dental
6900 Daniels Parkway #30, Fort Myers
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The dentist is amazing having professional attitude and always giving care necessary for appropriate needs. The staff are professional as well as friendly, kind and gentle. Positive vibes from all in this dental office! 👍
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I cannot begin to express how WONDERFUL my experience is Every time i need to go to the DDS. Daniels Parkway Dental is the best. They have brought back good ole fashion bedside manner. Everyone in that office gets a 5 ⭐️ review. From the … More moment you check in to the moment they finish the dental procedure. Dr Shelly and Dr King are constantly checking on you throughout the process and explain in detail everything they are doing and making sure you are not feeling any discomfort. This also includes their FABULOUS DENTAL HYGIENIST “Keely” (the best, bar none!!!!)
Fort Myers is LUCKY, EXTREMELY LUCKY to have them in our area (even though if they were farther i would still go to them) I also want to give the Dental Assistant recognition for how extremely well she worked with Dr Shelly they were a perfect team.
So in conclusion if you are looking for a Dental Office and want great work done LOOK NO FURTHER!!!! Than Daniels Parkway Dental Office!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely
Alex Gonzalo. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 -
Dr. Shelly King was wonderful. The best experience. Very caring and explained everything. Absolutely no pain or anxiety. I would highly recommend. The office staff was great too!
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Great dentist office. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. The dentist isn't quick to jump to fillings for children with tiny cavities that could heal or cavities in a baby tooth that's coming out soon. The hygienist … More we see if very respectful of the decisions we make regarding fluoride. They are a wonderful family own practice and Dr. Bryant and Dr. Shelley are so great with our family.
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Had an urgent need for an appointment (my porcelain crown fell out over holiday weekend). Being fairly new to the area and not having a regular dentist, I took a chance & stopped into Daniels Parkway Dental to see if I could get an … More appointment in the next few days. To my surprise they had an opening later that day. First let me say I was so impressed when I walked in to a beautiful bright well appointed clean office and warmly greeted by the friendly knowledgeable staff. Went ahead and took my insurance info (which they are filing for me so I can be reimbursed) and did all the paperwork. I say this because my time in the waiting area I noticed the pleased patients checking out and others coming in. Coming from up north who had a very modern excellent local dentist, Daniel Parkway Dental reminded me of what was left behind. And confirmed by the excellent medical care by Dr Shelly King. Both her & her assistant were gentle yet professional. In a layman’s eyes like myself I thought “just glue it back”, I’m so glad I didn’t try a do it yourself nor go to one of those “doc in a box” popping up on every corner. It was a very intricate procedure taking time to make sure the bites correct. Someone without much experience could have broken the tiny pins my old dentist had made. Or would have easily said I need a new one meaning lots of $$$$$. It was divine steering which brought me to Daniel Parkway Dental. A local family dentistry who’s been around for 20 years and not going anywhere. This evening I was able to enjoy my food and would never know it had fallen out few days ago. I’m so glad I’ve found a dental practice I can trust & look forward to going back for routine care for myself & my husband.
Thank you again Dr Shelly King & staff🤗
Contact Our Office
For immediate assistance or scheduling please contact our office directly at (239) 337-5464. All online inquiries are responded to within 24 hours.