Dental Fillings
Fillings are a common dental solution for repairing damage to teeth due to a cavity. Dental fillings do exactly what their name implies—they fill in the cavity. This is done to prevent further decay and damage to the tooth in order to avoid infections and subsequent tooth removal
Fillings are typically used in cases such as
Tooth decay that has created a hole in the tooth enamel but has not impacted the inner pulp where blood vessels and nerves are located
Dental trauma resulting in a broken tooth that possibly makes the tooth vulnerable to decay
To restore the shape of ground-down or eroded teeth
Types Of Dental Fillings
A variety of materials are commonly used to create dental fillings—each having its own unique characteristics. Here are just a few common ones.
Composite Resin
It’s a tooth colored and durable resin that replaces the portions of the tooth that had to be removed during the removal of the rotten or broken down tooth structure. This is our primary material of choice
Resin Modified Glass Ionomer
It’s a special dental material that works well for fixing teeth while also being protective through it’s consistent fluoride release.
The Procedure
01
Before a filling is performed, the dentist administers a topical application of gel-like anesthetic to ensure comfort for the injection of a local anesthetic. Local anesthetic is given to numb the gums and teeth
02
The tooth itself is then inspected to assess the needed repair. If there is evidence of decay, it has to be completely removed. Once all decay is removed, the tooth is cleaned and prepared for restoration.
03
Filling material is then used to restore its shape and integrity; patients are asked to bite down afterward for the dentist to ensure that it provides a comfortable fit.
