18
Aug
Dental fillings are an effective treatment for cavities in Bloomington
It is estimated that over 90 percent of the people in America will experience at least one cavity in their lifetime. The best way to prevent cavities is with daily oral hygiene, regularly scheduled checkups, and cleaning appointments. When cavities are detected early, dental fillings are an effective treatment.
The formation of cavities
Cavities can form when plaque is not removed from the surface of the teeth and combines with bacteria that are already present in the mouth. This combination can produce acid that damages the tooth enamel resulting in the formation of a cavity.
Detecting and treating cavities
One of the most important factors in the successful treatment of a cavity is early detection. Just because your gums are not bleeding, your teeth are not sensitive, and you do not have a toothache does not mean you are guaranteed to be cavity free during your checkup. The cavity has to penetrate the enamel, and reach the nerve of the tooth before you experience a toothache; meanwhile it is doing extensive damage to your tooth. Regular dental checkups are important in the early detection and successful treatment.
If the cavity has not done extensive damage to the structure, a dental filling is a simple and effective way for Dr. Milligan to restore the tooth. This process can be completed in one appointment. After the tooth has been numbed with local anesthetic, the doctor will begin by removing the damaged portion. Once it is cavity free, he can use composite resin filling material. The composite resin will match the shade of your tooth, so once the procedure is complete the restoration will be invisible.
In addition to being an aesthetically pleasing restoration option, composite resin fillings have several other advantages including:
- Strong and durable
- Can be placed in front or back teeth
- Does not have the corrosion issue experienced with metal fillings
- Does not require an extensive amount of healthy tooth to be removed
The earlier a cavity is treated, the less damage it can do to the tooth’s structure. Regularly scheduled checkups can give Dr. Milligan a chance to diagnose cavities before they can do extensive damage. If you notice a spot on your tooth, call Eastland Dental Center’s Bloomington office at and schedule an appointment, as this could be the early formation of a cavity. These spots can be brown, black, white, or gray.
Eastland Dental Center
Eastland Dental Center is owned and operated by the father-daughter duo, Dr. Mike Milligan and Dr. Marisa Milligan.
Dr. Mike completed his doctor of dental medicine degree from Southern Illinois University in 1978. Dr. Marisa completed her doctor of dental medicine degree from Midwestern University in 2015. Both doctors have logged hundreds of hours of continuing education to stay on top of the latest technologies in dentistry as well as the most current research on the oral-systemic, mouth-body connection to benefit their patients. Dr. Mike and Dr. Marisa are active members and in excellent standing with the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, McLean County Dental Association, American Academy of Oral Systemic Health, and numerous other societies.
Both doctors are avid golfers and have won several national golf tournaments over the years. They are the only father-daughter team in the state to have won the Illinois State Amateur Golf Championship. Dr. Mike in 1974 and Dr. Marisa in 2005.