What are dental fillings?
A dental filling consists of a composite resin material that we use to repair your tooth. Filling materials include composite resin, glass ionomer, and silver amalgam; composite resin and glass ionomers are popular options because they closely resemble your tooth’s natural color. We use dental fillings to treat teeth with cavities and teeth that have minor damage (like a small chip or erosion due to teeth grinding or acid damage).
Preparing for Dental Fillings
Before we place your filling, we need to remove any portion of your tooth that’s damaged or decayed. We use a local anesthetic to make sure you’re comfortable during the procedure.
To remove the damaged portion of your tooth, we’ll use a drill, laser, or air abrasion instrument. After we confirm that all the decay is gone, we clean the area that we’re going to fill.
The process for placing Dental Fillings
The process for filling your tooth varies depending on the material for the filling. For a composite resin or glass ionomer filling, we apply the filling in layers. Before we add another layer, we use a light to cure and harden the existing layer. Once your filling is in place, we shape, trim, and polish it so it matches your tooth.
What to expect after your appointment for Dental Fillings
After your appointment for your dental fillings, you’re free to eat and drink like usual. Dental fillings don’t require any special care; just make sure that you regularly brush and floss your teeth. It’s normal to have some tooth sensitivity and gum tenderness after a dental filling; warm salt water rinses, sensitive toothpastes, and over-the-counter pain medicines (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) are helpful to resolve these temporary symptoms.
How do dental fillings improve your oral health?
Dental fillings prevent tooth decay from continuing to progress throughout your tooth. When tooth decay isn’t promptly treated, the decay continues to spread and damage your tooth. It can reach the tooth’s sensitive inner tissue (known as the pulp) and require a root canal and more extensive restoration (like an onlay or a crown). Filling your damaged tooth prevents the damaged areas from affecting the functionality and structural integrity of the tooth. As a tooth degrades, it will impact your ability to comfortably eat and speak.
What are the benefits of dental fillings?
There are numerous benefits associated with dental fillings in that make them a terrific option for restoring your teeth:
Fillings are affordable
Dental fillings are one of the most affordable treatments for repairing damaged teeth. They’re also frequently covered by most dental insurance policies.
A Dental Filling is a fast, comfortable treatment
Dental fillings require a single appointment and you shouldn’t experience any discomfort during the procedure.
Dental fillings are a long-term solution
The exact lifespan for dental fillings in depends on the materials used to fill the tooth. Many dental fillings have a lifespan of 5 to 10 years or more before they need to be replaced.
Dental treatments for all ages.
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