{"id":69,"date":"2020-10-13T22:23:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-13T22:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=69"},"modified":"2020-11-02T16:57:46","modified_gmt":"2020-11-02T16:57:46","slug":"worcester-dentist-cavity-repair-filling-crown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/13\/worcester-dentist-cavity-repair-filling-crown\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Cavities Be Treated with Fillings or Crowns?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Try as you might, it\u2019s very likely that you\u2019ll develop a cavity or two throughout your lifetime. In fact, studies estimate that 91% of Americans over the age of 20 have experienced tooth decay, and 27% have untreated cavities. Not only does tooth decay tend to cause toothaches and sensitivity, but it can lead to much larger, more complicated, and more painful problems later if not addressed. Thankfully, treatments like dental fillings and crowns can restore the appearance, functionality and health of a smile suffering from decay quickly and easily. Read on as we break down the best ways to repair your pearly whites if you have a cavity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Is It Important to Treat Cavities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your mouth is naturally brimming with oral bacteria that are normally kept in check by brushing and flossing. However, when the bacteria feed on the sugars in the foods you eat, they produce acid. This destructive substance is strong enough to burn through your enamel. As more acid accumulates and the damage grows larger, a cavity is formed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your enamel protects the sensitive inner layers of your teeth. If it\u2019s weakened by decay, the delicate dentin, pulp, and nerve of your tooth are left vulnerable to bacteria. Since your teeth can\u2019t heal themselves like the rest of your body, there is no natural recourse to keep the issue from getting worse. Eventually, an untreated cavity can lead to a painfully infected tooth that needs root canal therapy or an extraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Are Dental Fillings the Best Option?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you think of cavity treatment, you probably think of a dental filling<\/a>. Modern tooth-colored fillings utilize a composite resin to replace the damaged tooth structure. Composite resin bonds very well to enamel and can be shaded to match the color of your teeth. They\u2019re typically used when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n