At Carnes Family Dental our goal is always to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible. Sometimes a portion of an individual tooth might be worn away due to a cavity, chipped from an accident, cracked from natural wear, or worn down because of grinding. In these cases, our dental professional might use a dental filling to preserve the tooth structure and help retain your beautiful smile.
What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is material that is bonded to your natural tooth to restore its natural shape. To fill your tooth properly, our dentist will first remove any decayed tooth material, file down uneven edges, clean the entire area, insert the filling material, and then shape the final appearance. This prevents bacteria from being able to enter the tooth again. Most patients tolerate the procedure well and quickly return to normal chewing.
What are the Types of Dental Fillings?
There are several types of dental fillings our dentist might recommend, based on the tooth damage, health and allergy concerns, appearance needs and cost considerations:
- Amalgam: This “silver” filling is comprised of several metallic materials which give it a darker color, but it is strong and cost-effective. It is usually used on teeth in the back of your mouth.
- Composite Resin: This is a more natural tooth-colored filling, but it can be susceptible to staining. It is often applied in areas of small damage on teeth that are displayed when you smile.
- Ceramic/Porcelain: Porcelain inlays are produced in a lab and then bonded to your tooth by our dentist. They can be matched to your tooth color and are stain-resistant, but can be more expensive.
- Gold/Silver: These fillings are made to order in a laboratory, and then cemented into place by our dentist. They are well-tolerated by most patients, and usually last over 20 years, but can be the most expensive option.
Carnes Family Dental takes care of all your oral health and dental hygiene needs. Call us today at “Number” to set an appointment and learn more about preserving your teeth with dental fillings.
