What are Dental Fillings?
A dental filling is designed to replace areas of a tooth that have decayed. Tooth decay, or cavities, often occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene and a poor high-sugar diet. Over time, the decay essentially “eats” away at the tooth, which can lead to the need for a complete root canal. To prevent the decay from going any deeper, it is removed and a tooth-colored filling placed.
Why might Dental Fillings be needed?
The main reason fillings are used in the dental office is because a patient has a cavity. Fillings are designed to replace the small hole that is left behind after the cavity (decay) has been removed. Fillings are made of high-quality materials that are tooth-colored, so they last a long time and look completely natural. By removing the decay and placing a filling, you can prevent the eventual need for a root canal or extraction.
Who is a candidate for Dental Fillings?
In order to determine if you have a cavity, we will examine your teeth using a dental instrument known as an explorer. This small probe will help us to identify areas of a tooth that have become decayed. Normal tooth surface is hard, but an area that is decayed is somewhat soft and “sticky”, causing the explorer to get stuck. X-rays are helpful in identifying cavities that are difficult to find during a typical exam.
What happens during the Dental Filling procedure?
The filling procedure begins by numbing the area receiving the restoration. The decay is then removed using a slow speed drill. From there, the small hole is prepped for the new tooth-colored composite filling. The material is placed inside the hole of the tooth and smoothed into place. It is then cured with a specialty bright light to harden the material and prevent it from falling out. You can expect a composite filling to last for about 10 years before it may need to be replaced.
If you would like to learn more about the dental filling process, call us today so that we can get you in for a convenient appointment.