Fillings
Fircrest, WA
Fillings are used to restore areas of your tooth affected by decay. At Fircrest Children's Dentistry we use tooth-colored materials to "fill in" the surface of the tooth after all decay has been removed.
Reasons for Fillings| • |
Restoring small to medium sized cavities
|
| • |
Restoring a chipped anterior (front) tooth |
What does a filling involve?First, Dr. Beck will answer any questions you have and will apply anesthetic to the tooth requiring the filling. Then Dr. Beck will thoroughly remove the decay that is present and prepare the tooth for the composite filling.
What are composite fillings?First, Dr. Beck or Dr. McCoy will answer any questions you may have. After that, they will apply anesthetic to the tooth requiring the filling, if needed. Many times a decayed tooth can be fixed without the need for anesthetic. Then, the doctor will thoroughly remove the decay and prepare the tooth for the filling to be placed.
Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-mid size restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure. In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, composite fillings are "bonded" or attached with adhesive directly to the tooth surface. This often allows for a more conservative repair than traditional fillings with their inability to bond to the tooth structure.
Composite fillings require that the tooth be kept clean and dry during the entire filling process, and they are subject to stain and discoloration over time. The life expectancy of a white filling can depend greatly on where it is in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite.
Composite filling material is also commonly used to repair front teeth that have chipped or worn. Where possible, aesthetic bonding of composite material to front teeth is generally much less expensive than crowns. However, bonding typically does not last as long.
If your tooth is sensitive for a week or more it is important to call our office at 253-564-2222 so we can examine the tooth and determine if additional treatment is needed. |
