Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic health conditions. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent it. In cases where decay is unavoidable, a dental filling is an affordable, natural-looking, and safe solution to restore the health of your smile.
Not only are our dental fillings at Dentistry at Kennestone some of the most aesthetic restorations available today, but they are also strong and long-lasting.
Dental Fillings — The Best Solution for Tooth Restoration
Dental fillings are materials to restore a tooth damaged by decay or injury.
When we find a cavity or defect in a patient’s tooth, we must remove the affected portion to prevent it from spreading. However, we can’t leave the tooth exposed and vulnerable to the environment, so the new groove needs to be filled with a material to restore its shape, function, and strength.
That’s where a filling comes in.
At Dentistry at Kennestone, we rely on high-quality materials, the latest technology, and advanced techniques to create restorations for our patients that last a lifetime. Our goal is to offer virtually undetectable results.
How Do I Know if I Need a Filling?
We use tooth-colored fillings as restorations when our patients have:
- Tooth decay
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
A good indicator of whether or not any of these issues apply to you is if you are experiencing discomfort in your teeth. Teeth sensitivity is an effective indicator of decay or fracture, and if you’ve been experiencing continuous sensitivity in one specific area, you may be a good candidate for a filling.
When you come in for an evaluation, Dr. Foxhall will assess your situation and provide you with the appropriate dental treatment. We typically recommend fillings as the best solution for restoring teeth with severe tooth decay, cracks, chips, and cavities.
What’s the Process for Getting Dental Fillings?
The procedure for placing a composite resin dental filling is a routine treatment we do daily at Dentistry at Kennestone. Here’s how it works:
- Dr. Foxhall isolates the tooth from saliva to keep it dry.
- Any dental decay is removed.
- An etchant and a bonding agent are applied, followed by the composite resin.
- A special light is used to harden each layer of composite resin material.
- After the tooth is filled, the composite resin is shaped to resemble a real tooth.
- Finally, the restoration is smoothed and polished to accommodate your bite.
What Are Composite Resin Fillings and Restorations?
Composite resin fillings are the most common alternative to dental amalgam. Because of their color, they are sometimes called “tooth-colored” or “white” fillings.
Composite resin fillings are made of a type of plastic (acrylic resin) reinforced with powdered glass filler. This material is considered safe. This plastic and glass mixture contains no metal and can be shaped to resemble a real tooth. Moreover, the shade of composite resins can be customized to closely match surrounding teeth, making it hard to tell that a tooth has even been filled.
It is also possible to use composite material for conservative preparations allowing the dentist to preserve a more natural tooth structure.
Other advantages of composite resin restorations include:
- Preferred white/natural-looking color
- Better for smaller fillings
- Preservation of more tooth structure
- Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contains fluoride, it can help prevent decay.
- The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, another advantage of reinforcing gum health.
The Problem of Metal/Amalgam Fillings
In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, composite fillings are completely safe and non-toxic. However, some believe that none of these advantages also apply to metal fillings.
The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs has concluded that amalgam and composite materials are safe and effective for tooth restoration. Nevertheless, some research suggests that amalgam fillings—made with mercury, silver, tin, copper, and other metals—may lead to health problems.
Dentistry at Kennestone opts for composite resin fillings over other materials to ensure our patients' health isn't at risk while offering natural-looking restorations.
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. When we create a filling from composite resin, we shade the white material so that it blends naturally with the surrounding tooth structure. The result is a practically invisible restoration.
Inlays and onlays, on the other hand, 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.
Made of porcelain, an inlay is crafted at a dental lab by an expert ceramist and cemented into or onto the center of the tooth, inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay covers the top chewing surface of the tooth. We use porcelain because it closely mimics enamel and offers decades of strength and security.
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. Some ways to ward off tooth decay and prevent cavities include:
- Brush after meals and use an antimicrobial mouthwash.
- Drink more water and cut back on sugary and acidic drinks.
- Develop the habit of flossing every night.
- Avoid smoking.
- Come into our office every six months for a comprehensive oral exam and regular cleaning.
Enjoy a More Natural Smile with Composite Dental Fillings
Dentistry at Kennestone uses dental fillings to help adult and pediatric patients preserve their healthy, beautiful teeth and avoid additional damage. The result of high-quality composite fillings is a beautiful, healthy smile. For more information about our dental fillings, call our office today!
