Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are widely used to restore teeth that are damaged due to the formation of cavities. Earlier, dentists used various metals such as gold, silver, and amalgam to make dental fillings. But, their use has been limited in recent years due to several drawbacks like displeasing aesthetics, uneven expansion, and contraction, risk of micro-leakage and toxic reactions with the tissues of the mouth, etc. Alternatively, composite and ceramic fillings are being highly preferred as they are tooth-colored and offer superior properties.

What are composite fillings?

Composite fillings, as the name suggests, are made from a tooth-colored composite resin. They are widely used to restore teeth that are decayed, worn out, or damaged. Composite fillings can be customized to match the color of the teeth, making it difficult to distinguish between the artificial filling and the natural teeth.

What are the advantages of tooth-colored fillings?

• Tooth-colored fillings restore the natural appearance of the teeth by covering cavities, cracks, and other surface imperfections.
• They offer excellent durability and longevity, making them last for several years without any hassle.
• They can be customized to perfectly mimic the appearance of the teeth, which helps to keep them in disguise.
• They offer excellent sealing properties, which prevents the microbes from re-entering the cavity and causing decay.
• Their rate of wear is almost the same as the natural enamel.
• Fillings are resistant to staining.

What is the procedure for getting fillings?

The dentist will visually examine your teeth and determine the severity of the cavity. In case it is minor, removing the decay by scaling and disinfecting it would suffice. But, if the cavity is deeper, it is best to remove the decay and restore the tooth using suitable filling material. The teeth will be cleaned by removing the tartar deposits. This is done using a hand-held ultrasonic scaling device, and washing off the debris using a jet of water.

Next, the dentist will prepare the filling material by matching it precisely with the color of the teeth. Before placing it, the surface of the tooth will be roughened using a suitable etching solution. The filling will be applied to the cavity, shaped accordingly, and hardened using a curing light. Excess material will be trimmed, and the filling is polished to make it as indistinguishable as possible.

To have a consultation with our dentists, please schedule an online appointment or call us at (501) 758-7462, and we will be happy to help.