Dental Filling Dental fillings are used to protect your teeth after you have a cavity that has been treated. These prevent bacteria from entering the core of the tooth, causing further decay. They also help you eat and speak better after tooth damage and restore the look of your teeth. There are several types of filling materials, which we can explain to you at Leavenworth Family Dental. We will also give you instructions on maintaining your fillings, though it is quite simple.Filling MaterialsWe use five main types of fillings. The composite material is one of the more typical materials used for people whose main concern is aesthetics. Composite resin bonds to your natural tooth and can also be used in other dental procedures as well. However, they tend to last only about five years. Another aesthetically pleasing option is glass ionomer. It has a similar appearance to composite resin. It will last you approximately five years. One other aesthetic option is ceramic. This is also stain-resistant and lasts 15 years. For the back teeth, those involved in chewing, we tend to focus on function over aesthetics. The most durable option here is gold. These are strong and last between 10 to 15 years. They are corrosion-resistant. For an option similar in durability (10 to 15 years), we use silver or amalgam fillings. Indirect FillingsIndirect fillings which are also called inlays and onlays (depending on how much of the tooth needs covering), will last about 30 years, compared to traditional fillings. To complete this process, you will need to have two appointments, compared to the one appointment you get with traditional fillings. At the first visit, we will get a dental mold and place a temporary filling. Our dental lab will produce your permanent inlay or onlay, which can then be placed at the second appointment. ProcedureTraditional fillings are less complex and can be completed at the same appointment as your cavity treatment. Our dentist will drill out the decayed dental structure and clean out the area. Depending on how deep the cavity is, our dentist may first fill part of it with glass ionomer or composite resin to protect your dental nerve. After this, we will fill the rest of the cavity using the selected material. We use a special type of light to "cure" or harden the material. After this, we will shape and trim any excess filling material and give you some final instructions for filling care. MaintenanceBasic oral hygiene will be enough to maintain the cleanliness of the filling. This includes brushing two times each day and flossing once a day. Our dentist will check your filling at your routine appointments, but you should also contact us if you ever have concerns. For instance, a sharp or painful feeling as well as tooth sensitivity can indicate that there is something wrong with the filling. We can fix cracked and leaking fillings so that you do not have further tooth decay. Call Leavenworth Family Dental at 913-682-1550 for more information on dental fillings. |
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