When a tooth experiences decay--a cavity--your family dentist in Fort Worth, TX, will treat it so you have good oral health once again. Dr. 
Brad McConnell offers natural-looking and durable tooth-colored fillings which literally make decay disappear. If you suspect you have a cavity, look forward to expert and lifelike restoration from Harris Parkway Dental Care.
The story of tooth decay
It happens to almost all of us at some time in our lives. How does it happen? Well, the American Dental Association (ADA) says that bacteria-filled plaque forms on and between teeth all the time. Oral bacteria called Streptococcus mutans is active in your mouth, feeding on food residues and giving off acids that destroy tooth enamel. This microbe is responsible for your cavity.
Unfortunately, if undetected, a cavity can invade the interior of a tooth, causing infection, fracture, and eventual tooth loss. However, the good news is that with routine check-ups and cleanings at Harris Parkway Dental Care, your teeth can stay healthy and plaque-free. Plus, your Fort Worth dentist will see those spots of decay at their earliest stages and treat them quickly.
The material of choice
Today's dental fillings are more lifelike and durable than ever. While in years past amalgam, or metal, fillings were the only material dentists had at hand, now Dr. McConnell may choose from porcelain inlays and onlays (partial crowns), composite resin (a blend of glass and acrylic), and glass ionomer (which features sustained release fluoride). Each tooth-colored material has specific applications, but the most frequently used is composite resin.
Composite resin is the same natural-looking material used to repair cosmetic flaws such as chips, cracks, pits, and small gaps. Also, it keeps permanently bonded retainers in place after orthodontic correction or when the dentist wishes to strengthen mobile or weak teeth. Lasting ten years or more with good oral hygiene at home and with routine exams and cleanings at Harris Parkway Dental Care, composite resin fills a tooth and recreates its chewing surfaces and other areas as needed.
The procedure
To place a tooth-colored filling, your Fort Worth family dentist will use locally-injected medication to numb your tooth and the area surrounding it. Then, he'll remove the damaged portions and apply a mild etching liquid. With composite resin fillings, the doctor removes only the decayed portions and leaves the healthy parts intact.
Next, Dr. McConnell will apply the color-matched resin to create layers, curing each one with a blue LED light. Finally, the dentist checks the bite to ensure a comfortable fit with the opposite arch of teeth.
Learn more
At your next routine check-up with Dr. McConnell, ask him about today's innovative filling materials and procedures. Dentists love to educate their patients so they make good decisions about their dental care. If it's time to book your appointment, call Harris Parkway Dental Care in Fort Worth, TX, at (817) 423-2223.