Cavity Fillings
Diana Zinberg, DDS
Dentist located in Santa Monica, CA
Dr. Diana Zinberg offers Santa Monica, CA, area patients a full range of preventive and restorative dental care services, including composite and amalgam cavity fillings to preserve tooth appearance and strength. Thanks to her ongoing commitment to continuing her education of new techniques and her dedication to using state-of-the-art technology, Dr. Zinberg is recognized as a compassionate care provider for all types of dental care needs.
Cavity Fillings Q & A
How Do Cavities Form?
Cavities are the result of tooth decay. Your teeth can become decayed when bacteria ferment carbohydrates and produce acid. The acid, carbohydrates, and your saliva together form a substance called plaque, which can permanently destroy enamel. Enamel is the protective layer on your teeth, and your teeth can decay when it wears away. The holes that remain are called cavities, and they require fillings as part of regular restorative dentistry.
Cavities are most likely to form on parts of your teeth that are more difficult to brush, which often means the back teeth. Tooth decay also tends to occur around older fillings that have crevices where food can stick. Adults and children need to be careful to brush in hard-to-reach places to prevent tooth decay and the need for fillings.
Why Do I Need to See a Dentist for my Cavities?
Regardless of whether your dental cavities are big or small, you need to see a dentist to get them filled. The filling will help get rid of any pain due to the cavities, and restore your usual ability to chew if you were having trouble before getting the cavity filled. You need to have a dentist fill your cavities even if they are very small and are not bothering you to prevent them from getting worse. If you let your cavities go, they can become bigger and you may end up losing one or more teeth.
In the process, the dentist gets rid of the decayed part of your tooth and replaces it with a strong filling. The filling can be made of a variety of substances, such as composite resin, silver, gold, or amalgam. White fillings are also possibilities, and you may prefer them to a silver filling because of their more attractive appearance which is closer to the natural color of your teeth.
How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay?
Good dental hygiene can help you prevent tooth decay. Rinse your mouth out with water or brush your teeth after you eat to get rid of the carbohydrates on your teeth. Also, brush your teeth at least twice a day, and visit your dentist regularly for an exam and a cleaning.
Insurance
We accept most PPO insurance.
Please call our office for a free insurance analysis, so that we can work together on a coverage plan.