DENTAL FILLINGS
ENJOY A MORE NATURAL SMILE WITH COMPOSITE DENTAL FILLINGS
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic health conditions. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent it, and in cases where decay is unavoidable, a dental filling is an affordable, safe, and natural looking solution. Not only are our fillings at Highland Dental Center some of the most aesthetic restorations available today, but they are also strong and long-lasting.
DENTAL FILLINGS—THE BEST SOLUTION FOR TOOTH RESTORATION
At Highland Dental Center, we rely on high-quality materials, current technology, and proven techniques to create restorations for our patients that last a lifetime. Our goal is to create results that are designed to be long lasting and virtually undetectable. We use tooth-colored fillings as restorations when our patients have:
- Tooth decay
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A FILLING?
If you are experiencing discomfort in your teeth, you might need a filling. Tooth sensitivity can be an indicator of decay or fracture. When you come in for an evaluation, Dr. Erny will recommend the appropriate dental treatment for your situation. We frequently find that fillings are the best solution for restoring teeth that have small cracks, chips or cavities.
CAVITY PREVENTION — WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT THE NEED FOR A FILLING?
The best way to prevent cavities is to keep up on your daily habit of proper oral hygiene. Here are 5 ways to ward off tooth decay and prevent cavities:
- Come in to our office for a comprehensive oral exam and regular cleanings.
- Brush after meals with fluoridated toothpaste.
- Use a daily over the counter fluoride rinse.
- Drink more water and cut back on sugary and acidic drinks.
- Develop the habit of flossing every night.
DENTAL FILLINGS—THE PROCESS
The procedure for placing a composite resin dental filling is a routine treatment that we do every day at Highland Dental Center. Here’s how it works:
1. Dr. Erny will numb the tooth and remove all dental decay.
- An etchant and a bonding agent are applied, followed by the composite resin.
- A special light is used to harden each layer of composite resin material.
- After the tooth is filled, the composite resin is shaped to resemble a real tooth.
- Finally, the restoration is smoothed and polished to accommodate your bite.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FILLING AND AN INLAY/ONLAY?
A filling does what it says it does—it is filling in a cavity, a hole that has been created by decay or trauma, essentially restoring normal tooth anatomy. When we create a filling from composite resin, we choose a shade of filling material that blends naturally with your surrounding tooth structure. The result is a restoration that is practically invisible.
Inlays and onlays are porcelain restorations used when the damage or decay to a tooth requires more than a filling—but less than a crown. In other words, if your tooth does not have enough tooth structure for a filling but it is not so severely damaged that it warrants a crown, you may be an excellent candidate for an inlay or onlay.
Made of porcelain, an inlay or onlay can be designed, milled and bonded into your tooth in one appointment. An onlay covers the top chewing surface of the tooth. We use porcelain because it very closely mimics enamel and can offer years decades of strength and durability.
WHAT ARE COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS AND RESTORATIONS?
Composite resin fillings are the most common alternative to dental amalgam. They are sometimes called “tooth-colored” or “white” fillings because of their color. Composite resin fillings are made of a type of plastic (an acrylic resin) reinforced with powdered glass filler. Composite resin is often placed in layers to build up the final restoration, then cured with an “ultra-violet light”. This light energy speeds up a chemical reaction of the components causing the soft material to harden and bond to the tooth. The color (shade) of composite resins can be customized to closely match surrounding teeth. This plastic and glass mixture is shaped to resemble a real tooth. It is usually hard to tell that a tooth has even been filled!
Composite resin fillings have several advantages. The “white” color is preferred by many patients due to its ability to blend in with surrounding teeth. It is also possible to make a more conservative preparations when using composite material, thus enabling the dentist to preserve more natural tooth structure.
- Benefits of Composite Resin Restorations
- Preferred white/natural-looking color
- Better for smaller fillings
- Preservation of more tooth structure
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH METAL/AMALGAM FILLINGS?
The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs has concluded that both amalgam and composite materials are considered safe and effective for tooth restoration. Dr. Erny will evaluate your current metal fillings at every check up. If you have metal fillings that are broken or separating away from the tooth she may recommend removing the metal filling to restore the tooth with a resin filling, inlay/onlay, or crown.
At Highland Dental Center, we use dental fillings to help adult and pediatric patients restore their teeth to their natural form and function. For more information about our dental fillings or any of our procedures please call our office Highland Dental Center Phone Number(717) 759-5063
