We are not a registered Medicare/Medicaid Provider
Dental Fillings: Restoring Tooth Function and Preventing Further Decay
Dental fillings improve the shape and function of decaying teeth. When a dentist installs a filling, he/she removes the decaying tissue inside the tooth. The cavity will then be cleaned out by the dentist before being filled with gold, porcelain, or other materials. This filling helps to prevent the tooth from getting more decayed or damaged in the days to come.
What Can You Tell Me About The Different Kinds Of Fillings I Can Get?
A tooth filling can be produced from a number of different materials. Some of these materials are designed to match the color of your natural teeth, allowing the filling to fit in effortlessly. Gold, porcelain, tooth-colored composite, and silver amalgam are all popular filling materials. Your Dentist in Centreville can help you decide which type of filling is best for you.
Preventing Cavities: Your Daily Defense
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is the cornerstone of cavity prevention. To minimize your risk of needing fillings, adopt these key practices:
- Regular Dental Checkups: Schedule comprehensive exams and professional cleanings at our office to detect and address potential issues early.
- Effective Brushing and Rinsing: Brush your teeth after every meal and incorporate an antimicrobial mouthwash into your routine to eliminate bacteria.
- Hydration and Dietary Choices: Increase your water intake and reduce consumption of sugary and acidic beverages to protect your tooth enamel.
- Consistent Flossing: Make flossing a nightly habit to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth.
- Avoid Tobacco: Refrain from smoking to safeguard your oral health and overall well-being.
The Dental Filling Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
The dental filling procedure is a common and straightforward treatment designed to restore decayed teeth. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:
- Anesthesia (if needed): To ensure your comfort, a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area surrounding the tooth. For very minor fillings, numbing may not be necessary.
- Decay Removal: Using a dental drill, the dentist will carefully remove the decayed portion of the tooth.
- Tooth Preparation: The dentist may further shape the cavity to create an ideal surface for the filling to adhere to. In some cases, an acid gel will be applied to etch the inner surfaces, enhancing the bond.
- Filling Placement and Hardening: The chosen filling material, such as composite resin, will be placed into the prepared cavity. If resin is used, a specialized curing light will be used to harden it.
- Polishing: Finally, the filled tooth will be polished to achieve a smooth, natural finish that blends seamlessly with your other teeth.
Fillings vs. Inlays/Onlays: Understanding the Differences
- Fillings: These are used to "fill" cavities created by decay or trauma, restoring the tooth's original shape. Composite resin fillings are color-matched to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, providing an aesthetic and functional repair.
- Inlays/Onlays: These are more substantial restorations, used when a tooth has more damage than a filling can address, but less than what necessitates a full crown. Inlays fit within the cusps of the tooth, while onlays cover the chewing surface.
Both are typically made of durable, tooth-colored porcelain, fabricated in a dental lab. Porcelain closely mimics natural enamel, offering strength and longevity. Essentially, a filling fills a hole, while inlays/onlays are pre-made pieces that are cemented to the tooth.
Composite Resin Fillings: Natural-Looking and Tooth-Friendly Restorations
Composite resin fillings, often referred to as "tooth-colored" or "white" fillings, are a popular and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional amalgam fillings. They consist of a durable acrylic resin reinforced with finely powdered glass, creating a strong and natural-looking restoration.
The application process involves layering the composite resin onto the prepared tooth surface and then curing it with a special ultraviolet light. This light triggers a chemical reaction, hardening the material and bonding it securely to the tooth. Notably, composite resin is considered a safe and biocompatible material.
One of the key advantages of composite resin is its ability to be customized to match the precise shade of your surrounding teeth, resulting in a virtually invisible restoration.
Furthermore, the material allows for more conservative tooth preparation, preserving more of your natural tooth structure. This combination of aesthetics and tooth preservation makes composite resin fillings a preferred choice for many patients. Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contains fluoride, it can help prevent decay. The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, another advantage that reinforces gum health.
