Dental Filling Procedure

Dental fillings are used to fill in areas of the teeth that are affected by decay. Millions of Americans develop cavities each year; they are caused by plaque build-up on the teeth and along the gum line.

Cavities can be prevented by adopting a good oral hygiene routine, one that includes brushing of the teeth at least twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting the dentist at least every six months for a dental exam and professional cleaning.

Dental Fillings Candidacy

Good candidates for the dental fillings procedure include patients that have mild to moderate tooth decay. Patients with a seriously infected tooth may need a root canal and dental crown in order to restore the tooth back to health.

Many patients choose to have their old silver fillings replaced with tooth-colored composite fillings to improve the appearance of their smiles.

Diagnosis of Cavities

During your dental appointment, a technician will take X-rays of your mouth; then the dentist will examine your X-rays, as well as your teeth, gums, and surrounding bone to diagnose any problems. If the dentist finds any evidence of tooth decay and cavities, he or she will recommend the proper course of treatment. If the patient only has mild to moderate tooth decay, a dental filling can be used to restore the tooth back to heath.

Prepping the Tooth

After your dentist has determined which tooth is affected by decay, a laser or another dental cleaning device is used to remove infected areas of the tooth. After the tooth has been sufficiently prepared, the dentist can fill in areas of the missing tooth with amalgram or a tooth-colored composite material. If you have old silver fillings that need to be replaced, your dentist will remove the amalgram filling, clean out any underlying debris or damage, and mold the composite material to the tooth.

Filling the Tooth

The majority of U.S. patients opt to have their cavities filled in with a tooth-colored bonding material rather than the silver mercury fillings that were commonly used in the past. With composite fillings, the dentist uses dental devices that isolate the affected tooth so moisture does not prevent the composite material from properly bonding to the tooth. The dentist then applies the composite solution to fill in the missing areas and provide more support to the tooth. A special light is held over the bonding material for a set amount of time until the filling hardens. Finally, the dentist files the bonding material down to perfect the patients bite.

When silver fillings are used to treat cavities, the dentist employs a procedure that is similar to the composite filling procedure; the difference is that the tooth does not need to be isolated and a bonding light does not need to be used when silver amalgram is used to fill in cavities.

Contact a Cosmetic Dentist

Contact a cosmetic dentist today to schedule a dental appointment and professional cleaning. Your dentist will examine your smile and check for any dental problems that could harm your oral health.