What You Need to Know About Dental Fillings

One of the most common misconceptions about dental fillings is that they solely exist to fix cavities. In reality, this procedure is a go-to to address cracks, chips and breaks on the surface of your teeth! A dental filling is a superb tool to correct these issues early on and prevent further tooth decay or damage. Better yet, fillings in general are a completely pain-free procedure with little-to-no recovery time needed. Read on to explore how dental fillings can benefit your daily life – and smile!

Preserve Tooth Health 

Dental fillings are used to repair minimal damage on the surface of teeth. Even though this type of restorative dental treatment only applies to smaller issues, dental fillings serve an important role in correcting damaged areas before they become more of a problem. A tooth with a cavity, chip, or even the slightest break can give bad bacteria and decay a place to fester, which can mean more severe tooth pain down the road. Instead, getting a quick and painless filling done prevents the spread of tooth decay, thus reducing the risk of infection and pain. 

Types of Fillings

Not all dental fillings are the same. There are a few types of fillings patients can choose from depending on their budget and/or allergies. The most common types of filling material include:

• Amalgam – This is the least expensive type of filling material and the most commonly used in dentist offices.
• Composite resin – This tooth-colored material is often used for fillings that are more visible.
• Porcelain – This type of filling uses porcelain mixed with metal to produce strong, tooth-colored fillings.
• Gold – This material is a mixture of gold with silver, platinum, or palladium for best durability

How Dental Fillings Work

At Magnolia Dental, our team of experienced dental professionals use dental fillings to heal cavities, cracks, and tooth decay. We begin by numbing the affected area with a local anesthetic. Once numb, we remove the decayed portion of the tooth from the sound tooth structure. The filling material is then shaped to match the look and feel of your natural teeth. As we previously mentioned, silver amalgam is a dominant choice for fillings. In our offices today though, we have several other preferred options for tooth restoration including tooth-colored composite filling materials and cementable resins and porcelains. 

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The Painless Procedure with a Short Recovery 

Unlike more serious treatments for tooth decay, fillings are generally painless procedures. For this procedure, your dentist will numb the area where the cavity is. That being said, the affected area will be numb following the procedure, however, you should only experience minimal pain and/or sensitivity. Furthermore, recovering from the filling is extremely short, especially when compared to other restorative dental treatments. Most patients are even able to eat and function soon after the procedure. 

Longevity

As dental technology has advanced, so has the resiliency of dental fillings. Dental fillings are quite durable and can undergo some serious wear and tear. Nowadays, dental fillings can last upwards of 10 to 15 years. By attending routine dental appointments, your dentist will be able to monitor your filling for weak points and can pinpoint when a replacement is eventually needed.

Dental Fillings at Magnolia Dental

If we haven’t emphasized it enough, dental fillings are among the easiest and effective ways to preserve your smile. At Magnolia Dental, we utilize dental fillings to remedy small dental issues to prevent them from turning into bigger problems. Our friendly team of dental professionals use the latest technological advancements along with tooth-colored composite filling materials and cementable resins and porcelains to give you beautiful, natural-looking results. 

Think you may need a filling? Need to schedule a dental appointment? Contact Magnolia Dental today!