Discovering that you have a cavity in your tooth is a frustrating feeling. After all, you’ve spent so much time and effort to take care of your teeth. No matter what the cause of your cavities may be, dental fillings are here to restore your smile.
Dental fillings are artificial materials that are used to fill in the gaps or holes in the enamel of decayed, broken, or damaged teeth. The purpose of fillings is to restore the shape and stability of the tooth, which in turn eases chewing, prevents further damage, decay, and loss of teeth. If the idea of getting fillings has crossed your mind, here are the things you need to know about them. Read on to learn more about this restorative dental procedure!
What are the procedures involved in getting fillings?
The area around the affected tooth is numbed, and the tooth will be inspected. The filling is determined based on the amount of tooth decay or damage. When there is tooth decay present, the decay will be removed, and the tooth is cleaned, washed, and dried. After this, the filling material will then be inserted in the affected area to restore the original shape of the tooth. Lastly, you will be asked to bite hard to see if the filling feels comfortable.
Which filling material is most commonly used?
Filling materials have a wide range of choices. However, the most popular option is composite material. This material came from a mixture of powdered glass and plastic resin and is also referred to as white, plastic, or tooth-colored fillings. These fillings are usually used on the top of the teeth, and they closely resemble the original tooth. Composite fillings will be cured with UV light in order to chemically bond with your tooth while it hardens. Another reason why they are popular is that they release small amounts of fluoride to help reduce the risk of further tooth decay. This type of filling is available here at Retro Dental Highlands.
How long will dental fillings last?
Although people believe that fillings are forever, this is actually not the case. A filling can last anywhere from 3 to 7 years on average, and it needs regular checkups. If you have dental fillings, be aware of any signs of discoloration, darkening, or chipping under the filling. This shows a breakdown or wear and indicates the need for filling replacement.
Restore the damage in your smile with Tooth-Colored Fillings in Denver, CO. Schedule an appointment with us at Retro Dental Highlands for the best treatment and high-quality service you deserve. We are located at 3025 W. 38th Ave., Denver, CO 80211.