It is estimated that over 90 percent of the people in America will experience at least one cavity in their lifetime. Daily oral hygiene, regularly scheduled checkups, and cleaning appointments are the best way to prevent cavities. When cavities are detected early, dental fillings are an effective treatment.
Cavities can form when plaque is not removed from the surface of the teeth and combines with bacteria already present in the mouth. This combination can produce acid that damages the tooth enamel, forming a cavity.
Early detection is one of the most important factors in successfully treating a cavity. 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 tooth’s nerve before you experience a toothache; meanwhile, it is doing extensive damage to your tooth. Regular dental checkups are essential for 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 Drs. Mike and Marisa Milligan to restore the tooth. This process can be completed in one appointment. After the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic, the doctor will remove the damaged portion. Once it is cavity-free, they 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:
The earlier a cavity is treated, the less damage it can do to the tooth’s structure. Regularly scheduled checkups can give Drs. Mike and Marisa 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 (309) 663-4711 to 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 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.
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