Clinical Tips 13 – Filling Grooves

Almost all of us get cavities, they are caused by bacteria that live in our mouths. If we have deep grooves in our teeth, the bacteria get into those grooves and cause a cavity. Its not your fault!!! IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!! The grooves inside the tooth are so deep that you would not be able to clean them out, and the opening is so narrow a toothbrush wont get into them!

So we have to get fillings here, its a normal part of being an adult! We do this to prevent the decay from getting deeper, and prevent more expensive and invasive dental work later in life.

Deep grooves need to be opened and sealed!

Caries indicator shows us how to keep going, what to leave behind and what has to be removed to get a good bond and seal.

We dont keep going deeper or wider when we get all of the decay out.

This is when the tooth is opened enough, ready to get sealed back together.

All sealed up! Beautiful composites make it difficult to tell where the filling ends and tooth begins! Great work that should last a long time if taken care of at home! Fillings should last decades, not only two years, and a rubber dam and careful preparation are the key to make that happen!