Cavities are a type of tooth decay that develops when natural oral bacteria eat away at the enamel, the outer layer of the tooth. Dentists refer to the hole that wears into the tooth’s surface as caries or cavities.
Most people will form cavities at some point. Dentists can get rid of this tooth decay in one easy appointment in most cases. Once a dentist treats a cavity, it is gone from the tooth for good.
But you could develop additional decay elsewhere in your smile. And a dental filling, the fixture dentists use to restore a tooth’s structure after eradicating decay, will not last forever. You can maximize the benefits of your cavity treatment and preserve your dental structure when you know more about this procedure, so read on.
Can I Form a New Cavity on a Tooth with a Dental Filling?
When your dentist treats a cavity, they remove all signs of decay from the tooth, ensuring a permanent recovery. However, you can form new decay on this same tooth on a different part of its surface. You might also develop a cavity under a dental filling if something happens to that fixture to make it not work as well as it should.
Dentists refer to this new cavity on a tooth as recurrent tooth decay. The dentist will need to get rid of this decay in the same way that they would for an initial cavity. They may need to remove your filling to access all parts of decay.
The dental filling molds to the shape of the tooth to fully cover the hole in the tooth caused by decay. And it seals into place when the resin hardens, protecting the tooth from further harm.
But if the filling wears down or becomes loose, then oral bacteria can reach this area and give you another cavity. A dentist can spot hidden decay on a routine dental x-ray, so make sure you attend your check-up appointments.
How Long Will a Dental Filling Last in My Tooth?
Dentists use composite resin to make dental fillings that restore the structure and function of a tooth after treating cavities. The tooth-colored material blends beautifully with the natural dental structure. And the hardened resin allows you to chew and bite as you normally would once again.
This durable fixture in the tooth will last for about ten years before it begins to wear down. An old filling can warp in shape, which can break the protective seal of the fixture and put the underlying tooth in danger.
A dentist will identify a damaged filling during a dental check-up, so continue booking these routine appointments. The dentist can replace an old filling with a new one to shield this part of the tooth once more.
However, if the tooth suffered further damage, it may need a restorative solution that provides more thorough coverage. In this case, a dentist might use a dental crown to cover the entire surface of the tooth.