You just got word from your dentist, and the news isn’t so great: You have a cavity.
You’re not alone. 92% of all adults have at least one cavity by the age of 64. But if it’s your first one, you may not be sure what to expect from your dentist.
Here are 4 common cavity treatments:
What is it? A silver-colored filling made from a mix of metals – usually a mercury, tin, silver and copper combination.
Why get it? Amalgam fillings are often cheaper and easier to place than composite fillings. This type of filling is durable and preferred for larger cavities on teeth.
What is it? A tooth-colored filling made from resin — a ceramic and plastic compound.
Why get it? Although composite fillings are more time-intensive and expensive than amalgam fillings, composite better blends in with surrounding teeth. Patients prefer this type of filling for more noticeable cavities.
What is it? A cap made from metals or porcelain that completely covers a severely damaged and weakened tooth.
Why get it? Crowns are necessary for larger cavities that require more support than provided by composite or amalgam fillings.
What is it? Inlays and onlays partially cover a tooth. An inlay fits into the contours of a tooth, and an onlay covers the tooth’s chewing surfaces.
Why get it? This type of treatment is preferred when you have a cavity that needs a little more protection than offered by a standard filling, but isn’t severe enough to require a crown.
It’s important to take care of that tooth decay before it becomes a more serious issue. But at the end of the day, the best cavity treatment for your mouth is prevention.
