No More Metal Fillings!
A few decades ago, dental cavities were filled with a mixture of different metals. Today, dentists are using more tooth-like materials that are safe and predictable to help create a natural and unnoticeable looking filling! Because the tooth filling is made up of resins and porcelains that mimic your natural tooth, the material is less susceptible to breaking. So while it’s best that you maintain a healthy mouth to avoid cavities, it no longer means obvious fillings.
About Your Teeth
One of the hardest natural materials for humans to produce consistently is enamel—that’s why it’s so important that you take care of your teeth to avoid enamel erosion. Tooth enamel is the hard substance found in the shell of each of your teeth that is visible when you look in your mouth. Below the enamel is dentin, a living material that is extremely sensitive. If your tooth has eroded, you may experience sensitivity that could indicate your need for a filling.
With dental porcelain fillings, our team can easily imitate the enamel of the tooth, eliminating a visible filling. If your enamel has eroded further into the dentin, we will use dental composite resins to fill in the part of the tooth where the natural dentin should be.
Why This Material Is Better
Metal fillings can cause further damage to teeth, not repairing the erosion or infection. We have access to tooth-colored fillings that mimic the same materials that your teeth are made of, therefore looking more natural and lasting longer than metal fillings. Using this new type of filling even requires that less of the tooth be removed in the process and possibly less pain during the procedure, which means you get to keep more of your natural smile! To seal your teeth, we use a dentin resin coasting to seal and protect the surface of your tooth from bacteria and sensitivity.
The Process
If you feel you may have a cavity, make an appointment with our office right away. A technician will take X-rays of your mouth, then examine the X-rays, your teeth and gums to diagnose any issues. Based on our evaluation, we will provide you with a treatment recommendation.
If you just so happen to need a filling, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Once we identify the infected tooth, we clean the area thoroughly and remove debris. We then apply the filling solution into the missing area to provide more support to the tooth. A special light is held over the bonding material to harden the solution and bind it to the tooth.
The filling material can be shaped to match the contours of your natural tooth so that the relationship between the upper and lower teeth is preserved.
In some cases after a filling, you may experience intermittent pain. For the few days after you receive your fillings, it may be smart to avoid extremely hot or cold food or drink, as this may cause sensitivity.
Already have a metal filling? We can replace it with a more visibly natural and durable filling! This is an easy way for us to improve your smile with a minimum amount of work.
How to prevent cavities
Some indicators that you may have a cavity can include a toothache, tooth sensitivity, mild or sharp pain when eating or drinking, visible holes or pits in your teeth, brown, black, or white stain on the surface of a tooth, and pain when you are biting down.
The easiest way to avoid cavities is by brushing your teeth at least twice daily, and flossing at least once a day. Flossing can help remove plaque and food debris that can breed with bacteria and cause erosion. You should brush with a soft bristled brush for at least two minutes per brushing. Using a mouthwash and toothpaste that contains fluoride will help protect your teeth- it is a compound that can help reverse the progress of early cavities and sometimes prevent the need for corrective treatment. Mouth rinses will help reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth, reducing your chance of infection.
If you are having any of the following symptoms, or would like to replace your metal filling with a more natural and durable filling, contact our office today! Our professional and experienced team looks forward to serving you.
