Fillings
Maintaining great oral health by taking the time to ensure that you take care of your teeth properly is one of the most important things you can do. You want your teeth to last a lifetime, after all, which means that avoiding big issues is a good first step to take. Sometimes, however, you will find yourself in need of some kind of dental procedure. The most common of these is what is known as dental fillings. These are used to help restore the teeth from mild injury or decay, and can help strengthen your teeth overall while preserving their health and extending their life.
What are some reasons for dental fillings?
There are many reasons why you might end up needing a dental filling. Sometimes you might find yourself with a small cavity, for example, which essentially means that your tooth has some form of decay that has eaten through some part of the bone. In order to fix this, dentists must clean out any and all decay from your tooth and then fill the space (cavity) left behind back up with a certain kind of filling that prevents the decay from returning or worsening. Another reason you might end up with a filling is if you chip your front tooth. Fillings can also be used to help repair the chip and restore your teeth to their natural, healthy state.
What kinds of dental fillings are there?
There are a few different kinds of dental fillings, however the most common and the most popular are amalgam and composite dental fillings. We offer both of these fillings to our patients, and are happy to help determine the best option for your dental needs. Sometimes, amalgam filling is the best option. This type of dental filling is silver in color, which means that it is not a good option for your front teeth. It is incredibly strong and durable, however, which makes it a great option for your back molars. Composite dental filling, on the other hand, is not quite as durable as amalgam, which means it is not the best choice for your back teeth where a lot of pressure is being placed every time you eat something. For issues with your front teeth, however, composite can be the perfect option because it can be color matched to your tooth in order to give your smile a natural and untouched look.
What is the dental filling process like?
Getting a dental filling is usually not an overly long nor complex procedure. Many patients can have their fillings completed the same day that we determine that they need one, in fact! We will first numb the area in question with a local anesthetic. Then they will drill through the decay and remove all of it from your tooth as well as clean it very well. After that, they will fill the space back up with dental filling and send you on your way.
For more information about our dental fillings, please contact us today at (509) 525-9111 to set up an evaluation.
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