Dental Fillings at Sea Brite Dental
Dental fillings are small restorations designed to protect and rebuild teeth affected by decay. Active cavities create openings that compromise the structure of teeth. If they aren’t treated, the tooth can fracture or break apart further, requiring a crown.
The sooner we can diagnose your cavity, the smaller (and less invasive) your filling will be. Early intervention preserves the most tooth structure possible. As a result, your smile is healthier, and you spend less on dental care over time.
- Metal Fillings: Metal fillings have been an effective way of treating cavities for several decades. These fillings are designed to last upwards of 10 years. For some patients it can be even longer depending on how well you care for your teeth.
- Composite Fillings: Our composite fillings are tooth colored to match the natural shade of your smile, allowing them to blend in discreetly. After we place a composite filling, no one should be able to notice that you’ve had dental work done. White fillings are metal and mercury-free.
When it comes time for your filling, we’ll explain both of your options and help you decide which is right for you. Dr. Morris can also help you better understand the cost of metal fillings vs. composite.
What to Expect
If you’ve never had a filling before, it’s natural to feel a little nervous. Fortunately, this routine treatment is quite straightforward. First, we’ll rub some numbing gel on your gums to desensitize them before a small amount of anesthetic is injected.
When your tooth is completely numb, we’ll remove the decayed portion, prep the surface underneath and then fill area with your chosen material. If we use composite, then a bright light will cure the material, hardening it before you leave our office.
Since the injected anesthetic can take a few hours to wear off, be sure not to chew or bite into anything or you’ll risk nipping the inside of your mouth.
Do I Need a Dental Filling?
It can be tempting to put dental treatment off, especially if your tooth does not hurt. Unfortunately, pain is not always an indicator as to the severity of a cavity. As part of your exam, we’ll take an X-ray of your tooth to evaluate the extent of the decay.
Early demineralization in the surface of your tooth can be treated with topical fluoride. However, once decay has broken through the outer layer of enamel, the bacterial infection will only continue to spread. It’s common for cavities to expand into neighboring teeth as well.
The sooner we treat your cavity, the smaller your filling will be. Since tooth decay never heals on its own (or via home remedies), it is simply a matter of time before it gets worse. It’s best to treat your cavity before it reaches the nerve of your tooth, requiring a root canal.
Do You Have Symptoms of Decay?
If your tooth is sore when you bite down, eat certain foods or has any rough edges, contact us for an exam. You may require a dental filling La Grande. Contact us to book a checkup every six months to catch cavities early.
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