To treat a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then “fill” the area on the tooth where the decay was. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth, and teeth that have been worn down from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding). Teeth can be filled with gold, porcelain, silver amalgam, or glass materials called composite resin fillings.
In our office, we typically opt for tooth-colored composite resin fillings which repairs your teeth and leaves you with a natural look. The location and extent of the decay, cost of filling material, insurance coverage, and your dentist’s recommendations help determine the type of filling that will best address your needs.
CARING FOR FILLINGS
To maintain your fillings, you should follow good oral hygiene practices – visit your dentist regularly for cleanings, brush with a toothpaste containing fluoride, and floss at least once daily. If your dentist suspects that a filling might be cracked, he or she will take x-rays to assess the situation. If your tooth is extremely sensitive, you feel a sharp edge, notice a crack in the filling, or if a piece of the filling is missing, call your dentist for an appointment.