Dental Fillings
Dental Fillings
In the pursuit of preserving your teeth, your dentist may apply a dental filling. Dental fillings are used to strengthen and repair teeth that have been broken down by decay. To place a filling, your dentist will first drill into and remove the decay. A composite resin will then be placed within the tooth. Aten & Garofalo Dentistry offers dental fillings in Ballantyne, NC.
Purpose
Dental fillings are placed when teeth have sustained damage as a result of decay. The decay is removed, and the area is widened and smoothed using a dental drill.
Procedure
Once the space has been properly prepared, the dentist will fill the space with a composite, amalgam, or porcelain filling.
Preventive advantage
There may be some lingering soreness or discomfort that should abate by the following day. Until numbness has worn off, avoid eating, or drink your meals.
At Aten & Garofalo Dentistry, we strive to preserve natural teeth. Whenever possible, we turn to dental fillings to restore teeth. Fillings allow us to strengthen teeth, while preventing additional decay or damage.
Dental decay can have a profound impact on overall oral health. Addressing decay and removing that decay as thoroughly as possible is the best strategy to prevent damage to the surrounding teeth and gums and preserve oral health.
LET’S GET STARTED!
Schedule Your Appointment
WHAT OUR PATIENT’S SAY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Dental fillings are small pieces of material that are used to replace damaged or decayed areas of the tooth. Fillings are typically inserted into the face or chewing surface of the tooth after decay has been removed.
Small, medium, and even large cavities can be successfully treated using dental fillings. Patients with damage that has reached the tooth pulp, or cracked or broken teeth are not ideal candidates for dental fillings, however, as these issues require a more extensive form of restorative dentistry.
Dental fillings are safe for use in dental procedures. This particular dental treatment places the highest quality materials currently available in the tooth, in order to limit the spread of decay and strengthen teeth. Teeth that do not receive fillings actually pose a significant hazard to oral health.
Fillings are a beneficial type of dental care because they prevent the spread of tooth decay. Without treatment, tooth decay can lead to negative dental experiences, including the need for root canals and even tooth extractions. Fillings preserve natural teeth and strengthen areas damaged by decay.
Dental fillings are not used when teeth are cracked, broken, or chipped. In these situations, a cosmetic dental service is likely to be the best route.
Most dental practices recommend using composite fillings, as these fillings are cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing. Composite fillings are tooth-colored and last for 10+ years. Porcelain fillings are also tooth-colored, but they are more expensive and may not be an affordable option for most patients.
Amalgam fillings can last 20 years, but silver and gold fillings are often considered unsightly and are frequently avoided. Our dental office provides different fillings to meet different patients’ needs.
Amalgam and porcelain fillings last longer than composite fillings, but the former is considered unsightly and cannot be changed with teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, and the latter can be extremely expensive. Speak with your dentist to determine what type of filling best suits your needs.
Typically, dental insurance will cover some amount of dental filling costs. Dental fillings are considered necessary by dentists and insurance companies, alike, and are typically at least partially covered. To determine whether or not fillings are covered, contact your insurance company.
Dental filling costs will vary from material to material and case to case. The larger the point of decay is, the more a filling will cost. If a tooth has a small area that has decayed, a filling will not require as much material and will be less expensive.
If a tooth has a lot of decay, or multiple points of decay, a filling will cost more. An average filling can run anywhere from $80 to $200.
Dental fillings themselves do not hurt, but the filling process might. Prior to placing a filing, your dentist will likely give you a numbing cream or shot, as the drilling and decay removal process can be painful. Once the decay has been removed and the area has been drilled, the filling will be placed.
Although you will not be able to feel the actual filling being placed in the tooth, you will likely feel a pinch when pain relief medication is injected and a sense of pressure when the tooth is being drilled. The filling will not provide sensation when it is placed, though your bite may feel different for a few days following filling placement. If bite displacement persists, be sure to contact your dentist.
If you keep a close eye on your fillings, you might be able to notice signs of wear and tear, or discoloration. Many people do not know where their fillings are, let alone what they look like, and may not be able to identify changes. Fillings should be replaced any time they fall out but should be checked periodically, too. Regular teeth cleanings and examinations can help stay on top of any worn or damaged fillings.
Many people believe that fillings, once placed, last forever. This is not the case, however, and all fillings will eventually need to be replaced, or you risk further damage to teeth. Depending on the material, fillings can last between 5 and 20 years.
Yes. Dentists use pain relief injections or gas to relieve pain during fillings to make sure their patients have a great experience, rather than a pain-filled one. The decay removal process is often uncomfortable (or painful), as is the process of having your tooth drilled. Pain injections remove the sensation of pain and allow dental professionals to place fillings pain-free.
Ideally, the process is not painful at all. Our dental practice, like most, is equipped with pain relief techniques that allow our patients to receive cavity treatment without experiencing a great deal of pain or discomfort.