Restorations (Fillings)

When plaque bacteria stay in contact with teeth for a sufficient time in the presence of dietary sugars, those bacteria produce acids which dissolve tooth structure. This process produces a cavity in the tooth that we know as tooth decay. When a decay cavity occurs, the decay should be cleaned out using dental instruments and the cavity restored (filled) with a suitable dental restorative material. Dental restorations are often placed using a simple local anaesthetic, and are usually tooth-coloured.