Are you experiencing any sense of tooth sensitivity? Are you noticing any tooth discomfort or pain when you try chewing or eating? If you do, you may be suffering from a hole in your tooth known as a cavity. Cavities are created when the tooth enamel protecting a tooth is breached until a hole forms down to the tooth’s root. Luckily, treatments such as dental fillings can be used to eliminate cavities. The two most common types are dental amalgams and composite fillings.

Dental amalgams are metal fillings that use mercury as a binding agent to successfully seal a cavity for many years to come. Dental amalgams have been in use for over 150 years with a proven track record of quality. Amalgams are most often implemented for large cavities. If an amalgam is cracked or broken, it can be removed and replaced.

Composite fillings, also referred to as tooth-colored composites, are dental fillings that are mercury-free and can imitate the natural look of your teeth. Composites can be placed on cavities that are too small for amalgams to work efficiently. If a composite is cracked, it can be restored without removing the original filling.

Keeping your teeth clean ensures cavities will not be able to harm you. To schedule your professional cleaning at Ortman Family Dentistry with Dr. Greg Ortman and our team at our dentist office in Lafayette, Indiana, simply give us a call at 765-447-0322. Thanks for visiting with a smile!