When decay weakens enamel, the resulting soft area is called a cavity. Left untreated, the decay will eventually cause extensive damage to the tooth, and potentially cause the nerve of the tooth to be infected. However, if the cavity is caught early, your dentist can treat it with a simple filling, typically in one appointment.
Composite is the modern filling material of choice in most cases. Silver amalgam fillings contain small amounts of mercury, while composite fillings are completely free of mercury. Composite fillings can also be considerably smaller than silver fillings, as the particle size is smaller, thus preserving more of your natural tooth. Since composite material closely matches the colour of the tooth, fillings are nearly invisible.
