Cosmetic Filings
Asha Advanced Dentistry provides the highest-caliber dental fillings to our patients. If you’re experiencing tooth pain, or you’ve been told you have a cavity, it’s important to treat the problem as quickly as possible to avoid further damage to your teeth. We’re also equipped to replace old fillings, as fillings can crack and wear away over time.
Our dentists are committed to providing the best possible care and keeping your discomfort at a minimum. If you have a tooth that needs a filling, you can trust the dentists at Asha Advanced Dentistry.
Composite resin fillings, also known as tooth-colored fillings, are restorations that are fitted to your teeth to stop decay. The filling is chemically and mechanically bonded to the tooth to help prevent leakage, which is common with traditional silver fillings.
Advantages of Tooth-Colored Fillings
There are many advantages to tooth-colored fillings. The filling bonds directly to the tooth to create a tight fit that helps prevent further decay. This type of filling can also be used in situations where a majority of the tooth structure is lost. This option helps strengthen the tooth and keep it intact.
Resin fillings are constructed with fluoride. Fluoride is an essential element in tooth health and can help prevent new decay from occurring around the edges of the filling.
Immediately after placing resin fillings, you’ll notice an improvement in your teeth’s appearance. Whether you’re getting just one filling or multiple, you will enjoy a more natural look with resin fillings.
What to Expect During a Filling Procedure
To make you more comfortable during your filling procedure, we use a numbing agent and ensure it’s working properly before starting any work.
Once the area is numb, we carefully remove any tooth decay and then use an adhesive to secure the resin filling to your tooth.
Replacing Silver Fillings and Cracked Tooth Fillings
Many patients prefer to replace their silver fillings with resin fillings instead. This usually takes two appointments to complete. We’ll remove the old filling and any decay during the first appointment. We will then take an impression of your teeth to ensure we get the right fit for your filling. Afterward, we’ll place a temporary filling on your tooth.
At your second appointment, we will first remove the temporary filling. Then, we’ll prepare the tooth with a conditioning gel, which helps bond the filling to the tooth. Next, a bonding element will be applied and a high-intensity light completes the bond between the resin only and the tooth.
We will then remove any excess cement and polish the filling to a high luster. These fillings look better than traditional silver fillings. Because they are bonded in place, they also help protect and strengthen your teeth.
Alternatives to Fillings
After a cavity is identified, you can either get the filling or postpone your treatment. Unfortunately, if you choose to wait for treatment, you may be at risk for even bigger problems. Cavities will not heal on their own; they will only grow larger.
Even though it grows slowly, it can have a major impact on your tooth’s enamel. Once the cavity reaches the softer inner tissues of the tooth, it will grow more quickly. At this point, it’s important to remedy the situation with a filling before the cavity reaches the pulp of the tooth.
If it reaches this point, you will need to have a root canal if you want to save the tooth. Fillings stop decay from spreading and can totally restore the health of a tooth.