A dental filling may be the right solution to restore a healthy smile if you have tooth decay or damage. At Fuller Dental in Burlington, NC, we are committed to providing complete, personalized dental care. For your convenience, we offer many types of dental fillings to address dental concerns and keep your smile looking and feeling its best. Dental fillings are one of the preventative care treatments we provide to the public in Burlington, NC.
Dental Fillings in Burlington
A dental filling can help restore a damaged tooth to normal function and shape. Dentists usually use dental fillings as a solution for tooth decay. However, we can also use dental fillings to repair chipped, fractured, or worn teeth. Dental fillings aim to protect the tooth from further damage and preserve the natural tooth to support your long-term oral health.
Fuller Dental offers gold, amalgam, composite, and porcelain dental fillings. One of our experienced dentists will skillfully examine your teeth to determine which filling material will benefit you the best.
Types of Dental Filling
- Gold fillings are custom-made in a dental lab and then cemented into place. While gold fillings are often the most expensive choice, many consider them the best filling material. Gum tissues well tolerate gold inlays and may last more than 15 years.
- Amalgam (silver) fillings are more inexpensive and tolerant to wear. However, a silver amalgam filling is dark and more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations. We do not suggest them for fillings in very visible areas such as front teeth.
- Composite resin fillings are custom-made to the exact color of your natural teeth, creating a more natural appearance. While white fillings may be less noticeable than other materials, they usually only last between 3 and 10 years and may not be ideal for large fillings as they chip or wear over time. They can also become stained from coffee, tea, or tobacco.
- Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays. Your dentist will design them to match the color of your natural teeth. Then, a dental lab will create them from molds of your teeth. Your dentist will bond them to your tooth for a secure fit. Porcelain will resist staining and cost the same as gold fillings. A porcelain restoration covers most of the tooth, making the filling nearly undetectable.
The Dental Filling Procedure
In most cases, we can place a cavity filling during a single visit to our Burlington, NC dentist office. This dental treatment will begin when we apply a local anesthetic to numb the area of the tooth. One of our skilled dentists will prepare the tooth by cleaning out any debris or decay.
Once the dentist removes all the debris and decay, they will fill your tooth with the dental filling material. They will use a special light to harden the dental filling. The last step is to polish and shape your tooth, giving it a natural, lustrous shine.
Replace Metal Fillings
Do you have old, dark fillings that are impacting your smile or breaking down and coming out? Modern advances in cosmetic dentistry mean you no longer need to suffer from unsightly and uncomfortable silver amalgam fillings. One of our skilled dentists can replace an old, broken-down amalgam (metal) filling with a tooth-colored filling. They are a more comfortable and natural-looking restoration.
Why Would I Need a Dental Filling?
Dental fillings are one of the most common treatments used to repair teeth damaged by decay. If you’ve ever had a cavity, you’ve probably had a filling placed. While fillings are often associated with fixing cavities, there are several reasons why someone might need one.
To Repair Cavities
The most common reason to need dental filling is to treat a cavity. A cavity happens when bacteria in your mouth break down food particles and sugars, producing acids that wear down your tooth enamel. This can create holes or cavities in the tooth. A dental filling is used to fill the hole and restore the tooth’s structure. If left untreated, cavities can worsen, causing pain and even tooth loss. Regular brushing and flossing help prevent cavities, but a filling is necessary to restore the tooth and stop further damage if one forms.
To Prevent Further Decay
A dental filling helps prevent a cavity from worsening by sealing the affected area and keeping out bacteria. If a cavity isn’t filled, the decay can spread deeper into the tooth, leading to more serious problems like infection or the need for a root canal. Getting a filling early helps stop the decay from advancing and keeps your tooth healthy for a longer period. In many cases, a small cavity can be treated with a simple filling, but if left untreated, it could lead to a much larger, more painful issue.
To Restore a Chipped or Cracked Tooth
Fillings are not only used for cavities but also for repairing chipped or cracked teeth. Sometimes, a tooth can break due to injury or wear and tear from things like grinding your teeth or biting on hard objects. If the crack or chip is small and doesn’t affect the tooth’s root, a dental filling can be used to restore the tooth’s appearance and function. This helps prevent further damage and can make the tooth look as good as new.
To Fix Worn-Down Teeth
Over time, teeth can naturally wear down due to age, grinding, or chewing hard foods. When the enamel on your teeth wears away, the softer inner part of the tooth becomes exposed, making it more vulnerable to damage. In some cases, a dental filling can be used to restore the shape and structure of the tooth. This can help improve your bite and reduce sensitivity caused by worn-down areas.
To Prevent Tooth Sensitivity
If you have a tooth sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods, it might be a sign that the enamel is damaged or a cavity has formed. Sometimes, a filling can help reduce sensitivity by protecting the tooth’s inner layers. Once the filling is placed, it seals the tooth and prevents outside stimuli from irritating the sensitive parts of the tooth. This can help you enjoy your favorite foods and drinks without discomfort.
To Improve the Appearance of Your Smile
Fillings are also used to restore the appearance of a tooth. Some people might have cavities in visible areas, which can be embarrassing or make them self-conscious about their smile. Modern dental fillings come in materials that match the color of your natural teeth, such as composite resin. These fillings blend in seamlessly with your tooth, making them virtually invisible. If you have cavities in areas that are visible when you smile, using a tooth-colored filling can improve your appearance and boost your confidence.
To Protect a Tooth After a Root Canal
A root canal is a dental procedure that treats infection in the inner part of the tooth, called the pulp. After a root canal, the tooth is often weakened as the pulp and nerves have been removed. To prevent the tooth from becoming brittle and cracking, a filling is often placed to restore its function and protect it from further damage. In many cases, a dental crown might also be recommended in addition to a filling to provide additional strength.
Dental Fillings FAQs
Dental fillings are something almost everyone will get at least once in their lifetime. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
Do tooth fillings help cure sensitivity?
Tooth fillings can drastically reduce your tooth sensitivity issues. Filling your tooth cavity prevents infections from doing further harm and can also fill those holes that cause tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods. After a tooth-filling procedure, most patients report that their sensitivity disappears after a few days.
Can a dentist redo my filling?
It is possible for your dentist to remove your dental fillings and replace them for several reasons. It is a quick process that can renew your tooth or teeth and add more support to an otherwise failing filling. If your filling is causing you issues, visit your dentist for a second look and repair if needed.
Are dental fillings painful?
Modern dentistry allows your dentist to provide quick and painless dental filling procedures in a single visit. This means they are quick and almost pain-free. Your dentist does not need needles or intrusive dental equipment to fill a cavity. We can administer local anesthesia as a topical solution. You might even feel that the most painful part of the process is the time when you are waiting for the anesthesia to kick in.
How many fillings can I get at once?
Technically, there’s no limit to the number of dental fillings you can get in one session. However, we recommend you don’t get more than three fillings in one appointment. Your mouth needs some time to heal after getting dental fillings, and it’s better to spread cavity treatments out to heal up in between sessions.
How long does a filling take to heal?
Your filling should heal completely in about two to four weeks. After this time, you should no longer be experiencing any sensitivity or discomfort in the tooth that got the filling. If you’re still experiencing this or have new, sharp pain in the area, call our office right away.
Do I need a dental filling?
Fillings take care of tooth cavities caused by bacteria and decay. There are multiple ways to tell if you need a filling. Commonly, patients experience pain and sensitivity in a particular tooth. The pain can be throbbing, and you might notice it worsens when biting or chewing with that tooth. You may get sensitivity when you’re consuming things that are hot or cold. With some cavities, you can see the hole or the darker color of the decay on your tooth.
Schedule A Dental Exam at Fuller Dental Today
We offer a full range of general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry treatments to help improve your smile. We work with you to identify your dental issue and perform state-of-the-art treatments.
If you are looking for an experienced dentist you can trust, call us at (336) 290-7401 or request an appointment online today.