Montrose Family Dentist | Dental Fillings

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Dental Fillings
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• No matter how well you take care of your teeth or
  how many times you brush or floss, sometimes
  youre bound to develop a cavity. Fillings can
  also be required if your teeth are damaged due to
  a crack or if you bite your nails or grind your
  teeth. In order to preserve the tooth your
  dentist will remove the decay and fill in the
  cavity with one of several types of fillings.

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Steps to Filling a Tooth

• The dentist numbs the area around your tooth with
  an anesthetic so you dont experience pain during
  the procedure.
• Then he uses a drill or laser to get rid of the
  decay and then clean out any bacteria.
• Then hell fill the tooth with the appropriate
  material and shape it to the cavity before he
  cures or hardens the material with a special
  laser light.
• Then he will remove the excess material so the
  filling is comfortable in your mouth.

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Types of Fillings

• Composites or Tooth-Colored Fillings
• Silver or Amalgam Fillings
• Gold Fillings
• Indirect Fillings
• Temporary Fillings

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Composites or Tooth-Colored Fillings

• These have become quite common in the world of
  dentistry because they dont stand out and match
  the color of your other teeth. Theyre ideal for
  more visible teeth, like those in the front of
  your mouth. It is strong material and chemically
  binds to the tooth, making it ideal for broken,
  worn or chipped teeth as well as typical
  cavities. They do have some drawbacks though.
  Theyre not as durable as other types of fillings
  and generally last around five years, requiring
  more frequent visits to the dentist for upkeep.
  In certain locations in your mouth the composite
  fillings are under more pressure and can chip
  away. They also tend to be more expensive than
  other types of fillings and might not be covered
  by your insurance carrier.

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Silver or Amalgam Fillings

• Silver fillings are designed to last anywhere
  from 10 to 15 years, making them much more
  durable than composites. Theyre also stronger
  and are able to withstand chewing better than
  other types. Since theyre cheaper, insurance
  companies are more likely to cover the expense.
  There are a few drawbacks to silver fillings
  though. They dont match the color of your teeth
  and will stand out more than composites. The
  amalgam can also cause slight discoloration of
  the tooth near it with a grayish hue. Your
  dentist might also have to remove more of your
  tooth than he would if he used a composite
  because silver fillings take up more room. The
  amalgam also expands and contracts more with hot
  or cold foods, which can cause the tooth itself
  to develop a crack.

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Gold fillings

• Gold fillings are the most durable of the three
  most common types, being designed to last at
  least 15 years, possibly more because they dont
  corrode. Theyre strong and some individuals
  prefer the look of gold to silver, but its an
  individual preference and others would prefer to
  have a composite filling that matches their other
  teeth. The primary drawback to gold fillings is
  their cost. They can cost up to 10 times as much
  as silver fillings. The process is also more
  extensive and, in some instances, will require
  more than one visit to the dentist to complete
  the job.

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Indirect fillings

• Indirect fillings are required when there isnt
  enough left of the tooth for a traditional
  filling, but there isnt enough decay to require
  a crown. They are very similar to tooth-colored
  fillings, but they require two visits for
  placement and need to be specially created in a
  dental laboratory after an impression of your
  tooth has been made. They typically last up to 30
  years, making them the most durable type of
  filling.

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Temporary Fillings

• Your dentist may decide to use a temporary
  filling under certain circumstances, such as
  after a root canal, for fillings that require
  multiple visits or if the nerve in the tooth
  needs time to relax after it becomes irritated.
  They can also be used in emergency dental
  procedures. They are designed to fall out or wear
  away after about a month.

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Filling Aftercare

• After you get a filling youll want to preserve
  it for as long as possible. Basic dental care
  such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day
  with a toothpaste containing fluoride, flossing
  after meals and using mouthwash. Youll also want
  to make sure you visit the dentist for a cleaning
  every six months and to ensure that you arent
  experiencing problems with any of your other
  teeth. If you have reason to believe that your
  filling might be cracked or damaged in some way,
  indicated by sensitivity or a missing piece of
  the filling, schedule an appointment with your
  dentist to minimize potential damage.

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Schedule your consultation today!

• www.montrosefamilydentist.com