Dental Fillings
What’s a Dental Filling?
Fillings are restorations that help to fully fill in sections of teeth that have become decayed. The decay will be removed and a white composite resin filling is then placed. Fillings are stable for multiple years and are designed to blend perfectly with the remaining teeth in your mouth. They are comfortable, smooth and the procedure to place them takes just a short period of time.
Why are Dental Fillings a necessity?
A filling is often needed if and when you have a cavity. The decay that is found in the actual tooth is fully extracted before the complete filling is put into place. This helps to prevent the decay from getting worse, eventually requiring the need for a root canal or extraction. We use composite fillings in our office as a way to help the filling blend well into the rest of the tooth.
Who’s a candidate for Dental Fillings?
We will perform a complete examination to determine if and when you might need a new filling. Older fillings may need to be replaced over time, and you might consider tooth-colored fillings if you already have amalgam fillings in your mouth. The process is easy and quick, and we can place multiple fillings at your appointments if they’re on the same side of the mouth.
What happens during the Filling process?
We begin by injecting a local anesthetic into the area to numb that side of the mouth. The decay is then extracted from your tooth, and the tiny hole created is prepped for the new filling. The composite resin is placed into the hole and then smoothed out so that there is no excess. We cure the material with a bright light that causes it to melt and harden into the area. The filling can last for many years before it might need to be replaced with new material. The procedure is essential in helping to maintain a healthy and full smile.
If you think you might need a dental filling, call our office so that we can help to answer any of your questions.