A beautiful smile is a healthy smile, but cavities and tooth decay can wreak havoc beneath even the most vibrant teeth. Our Florida DMD designs dental fillings to restore the functionality and longevity of teeth that have been damaged as a result of decay. We offer composite fillings that provide the look and feel of natural teeth while providing the tooth with durability and endurance. For more information about our comprehensive dentistry or to schedule an appointment for professional dental fillings and cavity repair, contact Comprehensive Dental Care today.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are part of restorative dentistry, designed to repair the look, feel, and functionality of teeth that have been damaged by decay and cavities. Fillings are vital to repairing affected teeth after a root canal procedure and they are created to last a lifetime.
A filling is performed to repair cracked or broken teeth. To treat the cavity, our Gainesville dentist gently removes the decayed portion of the tooth and proceeds to replace the removed decay with one of two common types of dental fillings — composite dental fillings and amalgam dental fillings. Cavities must be cleaned and filled to prevent additional decay from occurring, which can result in loss of the tooth. Filling a cavity in the early stages can help prevent more serious dental procedures, such as a root canal, in the future.
Common Types Of Dental Fillings
Tooth decay that developed to the point of tooth enamel erosion can usually be treated with dental fillings. There are two primary categories for dental fillings — amalgam, or metal fillings, and composite, or tooth-colored fillings. Contact us for more information about the dental fillings we offer or to schedule an appointment for one of our dental services and procedures.
Composite Dental Fillings
A composite filling is a tooth-colored resin made from a combination of plastic and glass. Composite fillings are the primary choice for fillings among patients because they are nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the tooth and surrounding teeth. This type of filling is ideal with small tooth restorations to avoid the removal of a greater portion of the tooth structure. Composite also works well with cosmetic purposes, such as cases in which restoration is required to a highly visible tooth.
Amalgam Dental Fillings
There are a number of reasons for which amalgam has remained a popular choice over resin-based composites for restorative material. Amalgam is superior to that of resin-based compomer in primary teeth and composites in permanent teeth. However, amalgam is not ideal for cosmetic restoration purposes or for small tooth restorations. The best option for your dental filling depends on a number of different factors. For more information, contact your dentist in Gainesville, FL.
Do I Need A Dental Filling?
Dental fillings have a higher likelihood of success and ease of procedure when performed in the early stages of cavity development. While some cavities may create oral pain and irritation to the surrounding teeth and gums, other cavities may exist without any obvious signs. The best way to ensure your mouth is cavity-free is with bi-annual professional dental check-ups as well as daily maintenance of an effective oral health routine. Contact us to schedule an appointment!
What Are The Benefits?
When properly taken care of, your dental fillings should last you 7-10 years. Fillings are an extremely important and beneficial procedure. They can be used to improve the appearance of your smile, prevent the further growth of cavities, repair broken teeth, fix damage caused by teeth grinding (bruxism), and enhance the strength of decayed or fractured teeth.
Cost And Insurance Coverage
Most insurance plans cover composite fillings. Insurance plans tend to cover up to 80% of the cost for a filling procedure. The price of a dental filling depends on many different factors, including the cavity size, the filling material, and how many fillings are needed. Without insurance, a filling should usually cost around $200 to $600. However, this price can increase if you decide to purchase a gold or porcelain filling.
Maintenance And Care
Following your treatment, you may experience some tooth pain and sensitivity. This aching and soreness should resolve on its own after a few weeks. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, keep up good oral hygiene practices. Floss daily and brush your teeth using a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day. You should also use an antibacterial mouthwash prior to brushing your teeth. Make sure to schedule regular checkups with your Gainesville, FL dentist to ensure that your fillings are healed and free of any infection or signs of decay.