Dental health is an important aspect of your life. Almost 100 million Americans never step into a dentist office each year. Regular visits can help prevent a wide range of conditions. But when you need the best, the most comprehensive dental services can be found at Denison Family Dentistry. You can always expect a professional and friendly environment when you visit our office. One service you might find yourself visiting our office for is fillings.
What are fillings?
A filling is a way to restore or repair a tooth damaged by decay. This common dental procedure helps repair teeth that are broken or cracked, tooth decay, as well as worn down teeth (e.g. due to tooth grinding, nail biting, using teeth to open things). The steps involved in getting a filling include:
- Removing the decayed part of the tooth
- Cleaning the affected area
- Filling the cleaned out cavity with a filling material
By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, the filling helps prevent further decay.
Filling Types
When it comes to fillings, you have a variety of options to choose from: gold, amalgam (silver), tooth colored as well as ceramics (porcelain). Each of these offer a variety of advantages to the patient.
Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Denison will help you determine which material fits your budget and needs. A few of the deciding factors include:
- Cost – how much does each filling material cost?
- Medical history – medical issues that might influence certain materials being used
- Cavity location – how much chewing will take place on the filled tooth?
- Aesthetics – how will it look?
- Durability – placement of filling in relation to how it will be used on a daily basis
Advantages of Choosing Composite Fillings
A common filling material chosen by many patients is tooth colored. Choosing a tooth colored filling immediately has the benefit of blending in and matching the shade of your own teeth. This is especially important if you have fillings towards the front of your mouth. Using this material provides more strength, as it chemically bonds to the tooth after application. Tooth colored fillings, also called composites, can be used as a bonding material to repair chipped teeth as well.
At Denison Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we combine fine dental care with a patient-centered approach. Dr. Denison is highly skilled in providing cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry for patients. If you are considering tooth colored fillings, or would like to inquire about additional dental services, contact us today. We will help keep your smile looking great!
