Preserve Your Smile
with Dental Fillings

How Dental Fillings Ensure Optimal Oral Health

Dental fillings are restorative dental procedures used to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay or fractures. The process involves removing the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth and then filling the resulting cavity with a material such as amalgam, composite resin, or porcelain. The choice of filling material depends on factors like the location and size of the cavity, cost, and aesthetic concerns. Dental fillings restore the tooth’s function, prevent further decay or damage, and help maintain the overall integrity of the dental structure. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, dental fillings can provide long-lasting and effective solutions to preserve and protect a patient’s oral health.

Schedule a Consultation

Or Call: 704-455-3333

Types of Fillings

There are several types of dental fillings used to restore teeth affected by decay or damage. Amalgam fillings, made from a combination of metals including silver, tin, copper, and mercury, are durable and cost-effective but have a noticeable appearance. Composite resin fillings are tooth-colored and blend in with natural teeth, making them a popular choice for visible areas. They provide good aesthetics but may not be as durable as amalgam. Ceramic or porcelain fillings are highly aesthetic and resistant to staining, making them suitable for front teeth. Glass ionomer fillings release fluoride and are often used for baby teeth or non-load-bearing areas. Gold fillings, though expensive, are long-lasting and well-tolerated by gum tissues. The choice of filling material depends on factors such as the location of the tooth, the extent of the damage, cost, and patient preferences. Your dentist can help determine the most suitable type of dental filling for your specific needs.

What to Expect After Getting a Filling

The numbness caused by your local anesthesia should wear off within a couple of hours. Until then, it’s best to avoid drinking hot or cold liquids, and eating on the side of your mouth with the new filling. Some sensitivity to hot and cold is normal in the first couple of weeks after getting a tooth filled. If it persists beyond that, or you have any actual pain when biting, it could signal that an adjustment to your filling needs to be made. Continue to brush and floss as normal every day, and visit the dental office at least twice per year for your regular checkups and cleanings. And remember, tooth decay is a very preventable disease; with good oral hygiene and professional care, you can make your most recent cavity your last!

Preserve Your Smile
with Dental Fillings

How Dental Fillings Ensure Optimal Oral Health

Dental fillings are restorative dental procedures used to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay or fractures. The process involves removing the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth and then filling the resulting cavity with a material such as amalgam, composite resin, or porcelain. The choice of filling material depends on factors like the location and size of the cavity, cost, and aesthetic concerns. Dental fillings restore the tooth’s function, prevent further decay or damage, and help maintain the overall integrity of the dental structure. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, dental fillings can provide long-lasting and effective solutions to preserve and protect a patient’s oral health.

Schedule a Consultation

Or Call: 704-455-3333

Types of Fillings

There are several types of dental fillings used to restore teeth affected by decay or damage. Amalgam fillings, made from a combination of metals including silver, tin, copper, and mercury, are durable and cost-effective but have a noticeable appearance. Composite resin fillings are tooth-colored and blend in with natural teeth, making them a popular choice for visible areas. They provide good aesthetics but may not be as durable as amalgam. Ceramic or porcelain fillings are highly aesthetic and resistant to staining, making them suitable for front teeth. Glass ionomer fillings release fluoride and are often used for baby teeth or non-load-bearing areas. Gold fillings, though expensive, are long-lasting and well-tolerated by gum tissues. The choice of filling material depends on factors such as the location of the tooth, the extent of the damage, cost, and patient preferences. Your dentist can help determine the most suitable type of dental filling for your specific needs.

What to Expect After Getting a Filling

The numbness caused by your local anesthesia should wear off within a couple of hours. Until then, it’s best to avoid drinking hot or cold liquids, and eating on the side of your mouth with the new filling. Some sensitivity to hot and cold is normal in the first couple of weeks after getting a tooth filled. If it persists beyond that, or you have any actual pain when biting, it could signal that an adjustment to your filling needs to be made. Continue to brush and floss as normal every day, and visit the dental office at least twice per year for your regular checkups and cleanings. And remember, tooth decay is a very preventable disease; with good oral hygiene and professional care, you can make your most recent cavity your last!