if you have a large filling in a molar, you may need a dental crown to protect your tooth.
Dr. Brad will need to perform an oral exam and may need to take x-rays to ensure the cavity hasn’t spread to the dental pulp.
If you have any tooth decay, we will administer a local anesthetic and use a dental drill to remove the decayed portion of the tooth.
The filling material will be applied to the tooth in layers.
The material is then cured with UV light to harden and then may be filed to ensure it doesn’t affect your bite.
These are tooth-colored fillings made of composite resin. This is the same material used to rebuild the structure of a tooth to cover up chips and cracks or other cosmetic imperfections in dental bonding.
This is a much more aesthetic filling but it is less durable than amalgam fillings. However, most people now prefer composite fillings as their standard filling because it does not leave a silver appearance in your smile, requires less removal of your natural tooth, and does not contain mercury. These fillings harden instantly.
These are silver fillings that are made of different metals, providing a very strong and durable filling material that is much more suitable for the rear molars or to fill large cavities. While too much mercury exposure can be toxic, the ADA has put out guidance stating that the amount in these fillings is considered perfectly safe. However, fillings containing mercury should be avoided by pregnant women and those with allergies. These fillings can take up to 24 hours to fully harden.
Fillings prevent cavities from worsening and requiring root canal therapy.
A cavity is a hole that forms in your tooth as a result of tooth decay. This occurs when you fail to adequately brush and floss your teeth. Food particles get left behind, leading to plaque formation, which is made of bacteria.
The bacteria lingers and feeds off of food particles that are left behind in the mouth, converting them into acids. These acids attack and erode your enamel, eventually forming holes known as cavities.
Silver amalgam fillings are made of more durable metal materials so they have a longer lifespan. This is why we recommend these fillings for placement in the back molars, which undergo more chewing forces. Composite fillings on other hand, while still durable, are not as suitable for the molars because they are more prone to chips and cracks. Their lifespan is reduced to 5 to 7 years.
A filling is a minimally invasive and painless treatment.
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