Fixing Your Smile so It Looks Like New
If you suffer from tooth decay, our Swansea dentists can restore your smile with an attractive dental filling. Sometimes cavities are easily noticeable because they cause pain, but this isn’t always the case. At Corner Stone Dental, we use advanced diagnostic equipment to detect cavities early, when they’re much easier to treat.
A cavity is a hollow space in your tooth. It’s caused by bacteria that eat their way through the enamel, the hard outer layer that protects your tooth. At this point, your entire tooth will be at risk if you don’t seek treatment. For this reason, we recommend visiting us every six months for a regular examination.
If a cavity goes untreated for too long, it can eat through your tooth. It may even require root canal therapy to save it.
Types of Fillings
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are the traditional type of filling that is noticeable due to their metallic silver hue. They’re no longer as widely used as they used to be. The main disadvantage of amalgam fillings is that they’re highly noticeable.
Composite Resin Fillings
Composite fillings are made from durable and attractive acrylic material. They have many advantages over amalgam fillings. They’re stronger and they allow your dentist to preserve a greater portion of the tooth. Composite fillings bond directly to your teeth, eliminating spaces where dangerous bacteria can seep in.
Of course, our patients in Swansea, IL tell us that they love the way composite fillings perfectly match your smile so your friends won’t even notice them.
Other Reasons for Getting Dental Fillings
Though fillings are commonly used for cavity treatment, they have other uses within dentistry. Some of these include:
- Repairing cracked or broken teeth
- Strengthening teeth that are worn down
- Enhancing the appearance of a chipped tooth
- Closing the space between two teeth
Eliminating Cavities With Tooth-Colored Fillings
Our highly experienced dentists can eliminate your cavities in just one appointment. First, your dentist will numb the area by applying a local anesthetic so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. Then, he’ll remove the decayed portion of the tooth, protecting you from further infection.
The final step is to apply the attractive tooth-colored filling. Now you can go back to enjoying all your favorite foods without concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re concerned about amalgam fillings, we offer natural-looking composite resin fillings instead. Though there’s been some concern over the safety of amalgam fillings, they’re safe for patients according to the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Some patients experience sensitivity to the metal components of amalgam fillings, however. If this applies to you, we do offer alternative types of fillings that are custom-made to match your smile.
If you find that your fillings are affecting the way your smile looks, we can replace them for you. Many of our patients appreciate composite resin fillings because they’re color-matched to your teeth so they right in with your smile.
How long your fillings last depend on what material they’re made out of. Amalgam fillings tend to last the longest, at around 15 years before needing replacement. Composite fillings may last for a shorter amount of time, averaging 5 to 10 years. Taking good care of your oral hygiene daily helps your fillings to last as long as possible.
This depends on the type of filling you get. Amalgam fillings can take longer to harden, so you may need to avoid solid foods for a day. Your dentist will give you instructions on taking care of your amalgam filling to ensure the best results.
Composite fillings harden quicker with the help of a blue UV light. You’ll likely notice your dentist using this light after placing the filling. You can usually eat very soon after your filling is placed, sometimes immediately after.