One of the most common forms of restorative dentistry is a dental filling. When you or your child develops a cavity, a dental filling may be necessary to save the tooth.
What is a dental filling?
A dental filling is a treatment method to help restore a tooth that has been badly damaged or decayed. A dental filling can help preserve and restore the function and shape of the tooth.
How do I get a dental filling?
Dental fillings are simple. First, we will remove the decayed portion of the teeth and clean the affected area. We then fill the cavity with a filling material. When this space is closed off and filled, bacteria cannot get back in, which prevents further decay and damage.
What are the different types of fillings?
There are many different filling materials that can be used to correct a cavity, however, at our practice, we stick to tooth-colored resin. This is for a few reasons. For one, mercury, silver, gold, and other restoration materials are distracting and do not blend in with your natural teeth. These fillings are also known to break down, corrode, and leak.
What are the benefits of tooth-colored fillings?
Tooth-colored restorations look and function better than other types of fillings. The resin used in these restorations blends in with your natural tooth and will restore its’ appearance back to normal. It is also strong and durable, ensuring that your filling with withstanding forces from chewing and biting.
We are completely mercury free at our office because of the drawbacks that it brings. However, many of our patients have pre-existing silver fillings. If you are unhappy with the look or function of previously existing fillings, we can replace them with tooth-colored restorations.
How can I prevent cavities?
While dental fillings are simple, it is best to avoid them from the start if possible. You can do this through proper hygiene routines. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups and cleanings are crucial to preserving and protecting your teeth. We may also recommend a fluoride treatment, which can help reduce your likeliness of developing cavities.
If you think that you need a dental filling, want to replace an existing filling with a tooth-colored one, or are simply in need of a cleaning to prevent cavities from forming in the first place, give us a call! With tooth-colored fillings, we can save and restore your teeth and have them looking as good as ever in no time.