When it comes to maintaining a healthy smile, regular dental check-ups are essential. During these visits, our skilled team at Laurel Bowie Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry examines your teeth for signs of decay or damage. If we detect any issues, we'll discuss the best course of treatment with you, which may include placing a dental filling.
Dental fillings serve as a reliable solution to restore the function and appearance of a tooth affected by decay. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the history of dental fillings, explore the various types available today, explain how cavities are treated, and provide tips on caring for your new filling.
The practice of restoring teeth with fillings dates back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that as early as 7000 BC, people were attempting to treat dental decay by inserting various materials into cavities. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that metal fillings, such as dental amalgam, became widely used.
Over time, advancements in dental technology led to the development of new filling materials. Today, tooth-colored or white fillings are popular alternatives to traditional silver amalgam restorations. These modern materials offer several benefits, including being mercury-free, metal-free, and more aesthetically pleasing.
As dental technology has advanced, so have the materials used for fillings. Today, patients can choose from a variety of filling options that cater to their specific needs and preferences. Some commonly used filling materials include:
At Laurel Bowie Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, we prioritize patient comfort and care during every procedure. When treating cavities, our skilled team follows a gentle and effective approach:
At Laurel Bowie Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, our goal is to help you maintain a healthy smile for life. To ensure the longevity of your new dental filling, follow these care tips:
We understand that dental work can sometimes cause anxiety. At Laurel Bowie Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, we strive to create a comfortable and stress-free environment for all our patients. If you have any concerns or questions about your new dental filling, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team.
If the pleasure of eating a delicious bowl of ice cream or sipping a soothing cup of tea gets overshadowed by dental pain that makes you wince; it's time to contact our office. As skilled providers of care, we'll determine what's causing your discomfort and perform the treatment required to alleviate your symptoms and get you back on the road to oral health.
Cavities develop because of an infectious process that causes progressive damage to tooth structure. Despite starting as a pinpoint defect on the outermost enamel layer of your tooth, untreated dental decay progressively compromises more and more healthy tooth structure as it works its way to the inner layers of your tooth.
Yes, you can still develop tooth decay on other surfaces of the tooth, around the margins of an old filling, or in fewer instances, recurrent decay underneath it. For this reason, it's essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene, a diet low in sugary beverages and sweets, and be sure to visit our office for routine checkups and care. While tooth decay is second only to the common cold in frequency, it's almost entirely preventable.
We value the time and comfort of our patients. If cavities are located on adjacent teeth, or in the same section of your smile, it may be possible to treat more than one tooth during your visit. However, how much is done each visit depends on several factors. We keep our patients well informed and tailor every treatment plan and visit to address their unique needs.
Addressing concerns on the presence of elemental mercury in silver fillings, the American Dental Association (ADA), The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA, and the World Health Organization have all stated that amalgam restorations do not pose a risk to health. However, individuals with allergies or sensitivities to the metals in dental amalgam are advised to pursue other restorative options.
Dental fillings are performed under local anesthesia to help ensure your comfort throughout the entire procedure. The involved tooth remains completely numb for the extent of your visit. Within one or two hours after the procedure is completed, the local anesthetic will gradually wear off, and normal sensations return.
A tooth-colored composite filling is fully hardened and set by the end of your visit. However, we may advise you to wait a couple of hours until the local anesthesia has completely worn off. This advice is to help ensure you don't accidentally bite your lip, cheek, or tongue while still numb.
The lifetime of a dental filling varies depending on the type of material used. While popular dental materials can last a decade or more with proper care, they can degrade over time, wear down, or even break. When this happens, you may experience some tooth sensitivity, a jagged edge, or a loose or dislodged piece of filling material. Whatever the case may be, it's essential to get the filling replaced before the tooth sustains further damage or other consequences arise. Beyond taking good care of your smile to help ensure the longevity of your fillings, our office regularly checks the status of your existing fillings as part of a routine checkup exam.
Dental fillings are an essential investment that serves to preserve and protect the health of your smile. With that said, how much a filling costs depends on the number of surfaces of the tooth involved and the filling material that is used. Amalgam restorations are the most economical. While tooth-colored composite fillings have a slightly higher cost, they offer the added benefits of being metal-free and much more aesthetically pleasing. Ceramic fillings, inlays, and onlays are more expensive than the preceding options but provide outstanding, long-lasting, and natural-looking results.
Dental insurances typically cover the cost of dental fillings. While we work with you to maximize your insurance benefits, there may still be an out-of-pocket expense. At the office of Laurel Bowie Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, we strive to help you begin care without any additional financial stress or delay.
