{"id":75,"date":"2016-09-11T23:58:05","date_gmt":"2016-09-11T23:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.drgeorgetphilipdmd.com\/?p=75"},"modified":"2017-04-05T13:44:18","modified_gmt":"2017-04-05T13:44:18","slug":"sunnyvale-dentist-treats-decay-with-tooth-colored-fillings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drgeorgetphilipdmd.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/11\/sunnyvale-dentist-treats-decay-with-tooth-colored-fillings\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunnyvale Dentist Treats Decay with Tooth-colored Fillings"},"content":{"rendered":"The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research indicates that 92 percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 62 have had at least one dental cavity. That\u2019s a lot of decay. What\u2019s the best way to treat it? Dr. George T. Philip<\/a> places tooth-colored fillings in his Sunnyvale, TX practice. Strong and lifelike, these fillings restore health and aesthetics to damaged teeth.\r\n\r\n\r\n

How Cavities Start<\/h3>\r\nIt all begins with oral bacteria–Streptococcus mutans, to be exact. It thrives in the sticky biofilm we call plaque. It also resides in hard tartar. When plaque and tartar<\/a> remain on tooth surfaces, in between teeth and at the gum line, tooth decay and gum disease result.\r\n\r\nLeft untreated, decay continues to tunnel inward, through tooth enamel, dentin and even the inner tooth chamber and soft pulp. This pulp can develop an abscess, causing pain and eventual destruction of the tooth.\r\n\r\nFortunately, early diagnosis through visual inspection and X-ray limits the damage. Dr. George T. Philip, Sunnyvale dentist, routinely uses white composite resin to repair decay and strengthen the tooth.\r\n

Here\u2019s How It Works<\/h3>\r\nFirst, Dr. Philip numbs the area around the tooth to be restored. He isolates the decayed area by placing a thin rubber dam around the tooth to protect the rest of the mouth from debris. He carefully removes the damaged enamel with a high speed drill. Unlike preparing a tooth for a metal filling, this process is far more conservative, requiring removal of less enamel.\r\n\r\nThe dentist then uses an etching liquid to prepare the surface for the resin. He cures it with a special light and places the composite resin. The resin is installed in layers, each hardened with the special light. After finishing the filling, Dr. Philip polishes it to match the texture of the surrounding enamel.\r\n

Other Uses<\/h3>\r\nDr. Philip uses composite resin for cosmetic dentistry applications, too. He artistically repairs small gaps, chips, cracks and other aesthetic defects for a natural color, shape and texture.\u00a0 With proper brushing, flossing and in-office check-ups and cleaning, composite resin fillings and aesthetic treatments last for years. Plus, they don\u2019t stain.\r\n

Preventing Cavities<\/h3>\r\nOf course, diligent at-home hygiene and in-office care support good oral health. Beyond these, patients should:\r\n