Fillings
Fillings are used to stop the dental decay process and restore the tooth to its proper aesthetics and function. We use the best and most current dental materials. Local anesthetic and other forms of light sedations can be used.
What are Fillings?
Fillings are material that is sculpted into a tooth to add shape and restore the form. They are required when a tooth is eroded by decay, wear, or a fracture. Fillings are composed of materials such as silver, composite, and glass ionomer.
Once the material is selected, we prepare the tooth, create the filling to restore the tooth's performance, and shape it to meet the aesthetics and function of the original tooth.
In recent years, the technology of fillings has evolved. Glass Ionomer fillings, a kind of plastic, contains similar material to that of a tooth. It reacts chemically with the tooth and binds to it chemically. It will also release fluoride to strengthen the tooth structure.
Types of Fillings
Amalgam
Amalgam is made with a combination of 5 metals. Amalgams appear silver in color, it is one of the strongest and long lasting dental materials. The American Medical Association and the American Dental Association stand behind the safety and efficacy of these restorations.
Composite Resin
Composite resin fillings can be customized; it is the most aesthetically pleasing option. Composite is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a space between your teeth, correcting discolorations, or changing the shape of your teeth
Gold
Gold fillings, called inlays or onlays, are the most expensive kind of filling because the filling has to be custom-created in a laboratory, thereby necessitating two office visits. The longevity of a gold filling is fantastic, up to twenty years,
A gold foil, reserved for tiny fillings, can be created in the office in one visit, but these are also rare. If you’re interested in a gold filling, talk to our office.
Porcelain
Porcelain fillings are similar to composite fillings, with the exception that they are an exceptionally strong material, making them suitable for the chewing surfaces of molars. They require advanced technology, so they can be more expensive than composite fillings. Like composite fillings, they can be colored to match the color of the remaining tooth.
What to Expect After Getting a Filling
The numbing agent will quickly wear off following a filling visit, so wait until sensation is restored before drinking hot or cold beverages. For a few days following the visit, the gum area around a filling that has been added to the gumline of a tooth may be a little tender. For a few weeks following the filling, the affected tooth may have some sensitivity to heat and cold.