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Dental Fillings services offered in Koreatown, Los Angeles, CA
What are dental fillings?
Dental fillings are used to restore the strength of a decayed area on a tooth. They also help prevent progression of decay so you can keep your tooth for the long run. Fillings also repair teeth that have been ground down due to clenching or bruxism (grinding). A filling may also repair a small chip.
What should I expect during a dental filling appointment?
A dental filling appointment lasts about one hour. During the appointment, your dentist takes any necessary X-rays and numbs the area to be treated to prevent any pain.
Your dentist uses a hand-held drill to remove any decayed area of your tooth. After it’s been prepared, they apply the filling and use a special light to harden and strengthen the filling. They adjust the bite so it feels like your natural tooth.
What materials are used to fill cavities?
Several options are used for tooth fillings, including gold, tooth-colored composite materials, porcelain, and silver amalgam. Tooth-colored fillings are a functional and aesthetic approach that makes a filling blend into your smile.
Why should I get dental fillings if the tooth doesn’t hurt?
Your dentist may detect a small cavity during a routine visit, even though it’s not causing any symptoms of pain. Usually, pain from a cavity doesn’t present until the decay has severely affected your tooth. Filling cavities early is essential to preventing further decay and preserving your tooth for the long term.
Once a cavity has infiltrated your tooth, the area continues to decay and repair becomes more extensive and costly. Left untreated, small cavities may require crowns or extraction.
Are dental fillings permanent?
Dental fillings last many years, but aren’t considered permanent. You may need to have them replaced every decade or so, depending on the wear-and-tear you put on the restoration. If you clench or grind your teeth, fillings wear out faster. A worn filling puts your tooth at risk of decay because it allows food particles to get under the filling. Your doctor may recommend older fillings be replaced if they notice they’re weakening.
If you suspect you have cavities or it’s been longer than six months since your last dental exam, call WPD Dental Group or schedule a consultation online.