Dental Filling Dental fillings are one of the oldest forms of treatment for cavities. A traditional filling is a dental restoration that replaces tooth structure damaged by decay and prevents further damage to other teeth. Our patients at Highridge Dental Care are able to get fillings that can be made from different materials, like amalgam (silver), composite resin, glass ionomer cement, porcelain, or gold crowns. The type of material used depends on factors such as location in the mouth, color match to surrounding teeth, and cost considerations. What Is A Dental Filling And What Does It Do?A dental filling is a material that's used to fill cavities, which are holes in your teeth. The type of filling you get depends on the size and location of the cavity. Filling materials range from tooth-colored composite resin (a mixture of plastic particles) to gold or porcelain. A bonding agent is usually applied first before any filling material can be put into place so it's less likely for them to break down over time. The function of a dental filling is to repair small cracks in teeth by restoring their shape and strength with different types of materials depending on what needs to be repaired. Dental fillings also help cover up exposed dentin - the tissue beneath the enamel layer where bacteria can grow and cause tooth decay. How Do I Know If My Tooth Needs A Filling?If your tooth has a deep cavity where the edges of the hole are close to the pulp, it can be difficult for teeth whitening products or dental sealants to get rid of all staining. If you have surface cavities that are not too big and don't go very deep into the center of your tooth, there's still some hope, fillings may improve how white they look in time. Fillings also protect against more serious problems like infection and decay which may lead to root canal therapy (a procedure that removes bacteria from inside a damaged, "dead" tooth). Also, if you're nervous about having an uncomfortable drilling experience, then rest assured with a filling; most people only feel minor discomfort while we numb them up before beginning the procedure. Types Of Dental FillingsAll materials in use today, including composite resin, metal alloys, and various porcelain cements meet safety standards set by the American Dental Association (ADA) as well as the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The most popular filling materials are composites because they're durable yet affordable. Porcelain offers increased aesthetics but comes at a higher cost due to the rarity of the material. Composite resins still make up about 85% of dental fillings. Composite resins are an excellent filling material for cavities in molars, large teeth, or any tooth with significant decay. They're also used to cover up old silver amalgam fillings that may have stains or discolorations from age as well as cracks caused by acid erosion. This type can even be recommended when a patient has allergies to certain metals like nickel because they don't contain metal alloys at all. If you have any questions or concerns regarding dental fillings, reach out to Highridge Dental Care at (916) 909-8989. |
 Phone(916) 909-8989 HoursMonday -Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday: 8:00am - 2:00pm - By appointment |
