Dental fillings are used to repair teeth that are damaged by decay, cracks, or wear and tear.
If you have a cavity, your dentist is likely to recommend that you have a dental filling placed. A filling is used to fill the area from which decay is removed, and helps to restore function to the damaged tooth. Dental fillings can also be used to repair chips and cracks, as well as teeth that have worn down as a result of general wear and tear or tooth grinding. Read on to find out what the treatment process involves, as well as what the advantages of modern fillings are…
What does the treatment involve?
If your dentist identifies an issue, such as tooth decay, they will probably recommend that you have a filling placed. Your dentist will carefully remove the decay from the affected tooth. A small amount of drilling may be necessary to prepare the tooth for filling and to ensure that the material bonds to the surface of the tooth. Your dentist will prepare the tooth by etching the surface with a gel. A bonding liquid is then painted onto the tooth and set with a special light. Resin is then moulded onto the tooth and the light is used to harden the material before it is polished for a natural-looking shine.
Why consider tooth-coloured fillings?
Although dental fillings are available in a number of materials, there are several advantages to choosing tooth-coloured composite restorations. The colour of composite fillings can be matched to the shade of your teeth, which helps to achieve a natural-looking appearance. This makes them a particularly good option for teeth that are visible when smiling.
Composite fillings are also very versatile and can be used to resolve decayed teeth, as well as chipped, cracked and worn-down teeth. They also require less removal of the tooth’s natural structure when compared with silver amalgam fillings.
How do you take care of fillings?
Once you have had a filling placed, it is important that you continue to practice proper oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once daily. You should also see your dentist for regular check-ups to ensure that your filling remains in good condition, and that your oral health is maintained in the long-term. If you suspect that your filling is chipped or cracked, or that your filling has fallen out, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible. There are a few factors that can cause a filling to fall out, including tooth grinding; poor oral hygiene; and certain foods, like hard candy.
How can we help?
At Crookes & Jenkins Dental, we offer a range of restorative treatments, including dental fillings. Fillings are often an effective solution for the treatment of cavities and tooth decay, and can also be used to repair chipped teeth. We offer bonded fillings, which involve the use of modern resins. We also offer root canal treatment in cases of severe decay, disease or injury. If you would like to find out more about the fillings that we offer, or what a root canal procedure involves, please have a look here.
Besides fillings, we also offer a number of other restorative treatments, including crowns, bridges, dental implants, and dentures. We also provide a comprehensive range of preventative and cosmetic treatments, as well as sedation dentistry. To see the full list of services that we offer, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange an appointment, get in touch with us here or give us a call on 07 3367 1122. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice in Rosalie and helping to improve and maintain your oral health. We love to see our patients’ happy and healthy smiles!