Dental fillings are the most commonly performed dental restoration because tooth decay is a common chronic health condition. There are many ways to prevent tooth decay, but when decay or damage has occurred, a dental filling is an affordable and safe way to save your natural tooth and protect it from future decay. We use composite dental fillings at George Family Dental Care because they are strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Our goal whenever you have a cavity or damaged tooth is to save the tooth. We rely on high-quality materials, the latest technology, and advanced techniques to create restorations that can last a lifetime. We strive to produce results that are designed to be virtually undetectable, including using tooth-colored fillings as restorations.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you may need a filling and should contact us for an appointment as soon as you can:
Your dentist spots some cavities before you experience any symptoms, which is why it is important to have regular dental checkups. Getting dental fillings early, before the damage to the tooth’s structure is significant, is simpler and preserves more of the tooth’s natural structure.
We use composite resin fillings at George Family Dental Care for several reasons. Composite resin fillings are the most common alternative to dental amalgam, or metal, fillings. Composite fillings are sometimes called “tooth-colored” or “white” fillings because of their color. Composite resin fillings are made of plastic (an acrylic resin) reinforced with powdered glass filler. Composite resin is often placed in layers to build the final restoration, then cured with an “ultra-violet light.” This light energy speeds up the components’ chemical reaction, causing the soft material to harden and bond to the tooth. The color (shade) of composite resins is customized to match surrounding teeth closely. This plastic and glass mixture contains no metal and can be shaped to resemble a real tooth. It is usually hard to tell if a tooth has even been filled!
At George Family Dental Care, the process of placing a composite resin dental filling is straightforward and stress-free.
What can I do to prevent the need for a filling?
The best way to fight cavities and maintain healthy gums and teeth is to maintain your daily oral hygiene habits. Here are 5 ways to ward off tooth decay and prevent cavities:
What’s the difference between a filling and an inlay/onlay?
A filling does what it says it does: It fills in a cavity, a hole created by decay or trauma, essentially restoring normal tooth anatomy.
Inlays and onlays are used when the damage or decay to a tooth requires more than a filling—but less than a crown. In other words, if your tooth does not have enough tooth structure for a filling but is not so severely damaged that it warrants a crown, you may be an excellent candidate for an inlay or onlay.
What’s wrong with metal/amalgam fillings?
The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs has concluded that both amalgam and composite materials are safe and effective for tooth restoration.
However, some believe that this does not hold true for metal fillings. Some research suggests that amalgam fillings—made with mercury, silver, tin, copper, and other metals—may lead to health problems. In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, composite fillings are completely safe and non-toxic.
How long do composite fillings last?
Composite fillings can last ten years or longer and are easy to repair or replace when worn or loose. High-quality composite fillings result in a beautiful, healthy smile. For more information about our dental fillings, call our office at George Family Dental Care in Plantation Phone Number(954) 792-6002 today!