What are Dental Fillings?

A dental filling is designed to replace an area of decay in one or more teeth. Tooth decay is an incredibly common condition that can affect your overall oral health. Before the decay is able to reach the inner pulp of the tooth, it is removed and replaced with a tooth-colored composite resin filling. This filling will last for about a decade before full replacement is recommended.

Why are Dental Fillings needed?

The reason patients may need a filling is because they have a cavity. Cavities are typically the result of poor oral hygiene and consuming foods and drinks that are high in sugar. If you allow the decay to go deep into the tooth, you’ll require a root canal to remove the infected pulp. Placing a filling is less invasive and traumatic to the tooth, and it’ll prevent the need for further procedures.

Who is a candidate for Dental Fillings

The best way for us to determine if a filling is needed is with an exam. We may take x-rays to help in spotting hard-to-reach decay. If you need a filling, it is vital that you have one placed as soon as possible. This will prevent further damage to the tooth and the need for other, more invasive treatments.

What happens during the Dental Filling process?

The first step is to numb the area of the mouth where the filling is needed. We will then remove the decay from the tooth. The small hole that is left behind will be prepped for the filling. Composite resin is poured and packed into the hole before being hardened with a bright curing light. You can expect your brand new filling to last for about a decade before it may need to be replaced. We are able to place more than one filling at a time, if they are within the same area of the mouth. This prevents having to numb the entire mouth just to place multiple fillings.

If you think you might need a dental filling, call us today so that we can get you in for a consultation appointment at your earliest convenience.