Dental Filling

When someone has a cavity, the most common way to treat it is with a dental filling. Fillings are also used to repair broken or cracked teeth, as well as teeth that have been worn down from things such as nail-biting or tooth grinding.

What happens when you get a dental filling?

First, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth to be filled with a local anesthetic. Next, a drill will be used to remove the area that is decayed. Once all of the decay has been removed, the space will be prepared by cleaning the cavity of debris and bacteria. If the decay is close to the nerve, a liner might be inserted first to protect the nerve.

The filling material is then applied in layers. After each layer, a special light is used to cure, or harden, the material. When all of the layers have been applied and cured, your dentist will shape the dental filling so that it fits properly and feels comfortable.

What types of filling materials are available?

Today, several dental filling materials can be used, including gold, porcelain, silver amalgam and composite resin fillings. We feel that composite materials are superior in terms of being mercury free, they are more cost friendly, more stable, and lastly have the best cosmetic appearance.

 

Tooth-colored composites

Teeth bonding– composite fillings chemically bond to the tooth structure, which provides further support

Aesthetics — the color of the composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of the existing teeth. This type of filling is wells suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth

Versatility — composite fillings can also be used to repair broken, chipped or worn teeth