Choosing The Right Dental Fillings For Your Needs

ALL ABOUT DENTAL FILLINGS
Although receiving a filling at your dentist in Durham, NC is not a procedure many people enjoy, it is a procedure you will likely require. You might think fillings are just used when treating cavities; however, there’s many reasons your dentist might suggest a filling. Dental fillings may be recommended to fix chipped, cracked, or worn down enamel. Regardless of why you require a filling, our staff at DentalWorks – Durham provides top-quality materials and choices. Learn more about fillings, such as what fillings are, the reasons why you may require one, your choices (indirect or direct fillings and various substances), and also what to anticipate if your dentist in Durham, NC performs a filling.

WHY YOU NEED A FILLING
There are a few reasons you might require a filling. At your yearly examination, your dentist will assess your teeth to ascertain whether you’ve got a cavity or a different issue, which might be fixed with a filling.

  • WORN ENAMEL
    When you bite your nails, grind your teeth at night, or open things with your teeth, you might have worn teeth. A filling may improve the health and strength of teeth that are worn down.
  • A CHIPPED TOOTH
    Little chips in a tooth might be mended with a filling. This might be done to enhance the overall look of your smile or for your dental health.
  • A CRACKED TOOTH
    A tooth with a crack may be repaired with a filling. A fracture in the tooth ought to be repaired before an infection or decay can get in the pulp.
  • CAVITIES
    A frequent reason many patients in Durham, NC require a filling is to take care of a cavity. After the decayed enamel is eliminated, a filling can be placed to seal the remaining enamel.

DECIDING IF YOU NEED A FILLING
At your yearly dental examination, among the principal things that your dentist will be looking for is cavities. They can utilize a manual instrument, electronic x-rays, a cavity dye, or even a laser apparatus to help them find diminished enamel. If your dental practitioner finds a cavity, crack, chip, or worn teeth during your examination, you might need a filling. They’ll discuss their exam finding and after that discuss the kind of filling that they suggest.

FILLING MATERIALS
There’s two forms of fillings — indirect and direct. A direct filling is generally made with composite resin and can be put right onto the tooth, generally to take care of a cavity. An indirect filling could be made from porcelain or gold and it has to be designed and manufactured before it’s placed using an impression of your teeth. Sometimes called an onlay or inlay, indirect fillings tend to be recommended for bigger cavities or a tooth with a crack.

  • AMALGAM
    Direct amalgam fillings are made from a mixture of metals such as mercury and silver. Amalgam fillings were a frequent remedy for cavities; however, many dentists today favor composite resin fillings because amalgam does not adhere as well to teeth.
  • GOLD
    Indirect fillings made of gold are ideal for your molars and premolars because they’re among the strongest filling type. Fillings made of gold are a more expensive option; however, they’re stronger and have a tendency to last longer compared to other options.
  • COMPOSITE RESIN
    A contemporary material, composite resin could be colored to be applied as direct fillings. Composite resin may also be utilized as an aesthetic procedure to fix chips and conceal stains.
  • PORCELAIN
    Inlays and onlays made of porcelain are often suggested for visible teeth. Porcelain will be colored to blend with your teeth to give you a seamless outcome; however, they’re more delicate in contrast to other choices.

THE FILLING PROCESS
After your team of dental professionals has determined you will need a filling and the kind you will get; your procedure can be planned. A filling can ordinarily be done using just numbing cream on the area near the tooth being treated. But in case you’ve got dental worries or a sensitive gag reflex, you might need sedation. At DentalWorks – Durham, we provide various degrees of sedation (for instance, laughing gas or oral-conscious medicine) to keep you relaxed and calm throughout your appointment. As soon as the treatment area is prepped, your dental staff can get rid of damage or decay. Sometimes, your dentist will apply a special gel to prepare the enamel for your filling. Your dentist will apply your indirect filling or thin layers of composite resin. Your filling will be set using a light so that it bonds to your enamel. When your filling is set, they may polish the filling along with your tooth so that it feels natural and smooth.

MAINTAINING YOUR FILLING
Once your filling is complete and your smile is restored, it is crucial to maintain your oral health. You will need to come up with a home dental hygiene regimen with daily flossing and brushing. You also ought to use mouthwash during the day, particularly after drinking or eating sugary or acidic foods and beverages. Besides your home routine, you have to visit your dentist in Durham, NC two or more times every year for cleanings and examinations. Based on the kind of filling you select and where it’s put, your filling may last from 5 – 15 years with great care. Throughout your dental health examinations, your dentist may assess the condition of your filling and determine whether it has to be mended.

IMPROVE YOUR ORAL HEALTH WITH A DENTAL FILLING
Even though you might not like having a filling, you’ve got a lot of choices in case you need a filling. Modern fillings will take care of a vast assortment of issues from cavities to cracked, chipped, or worn teeth. DentalWorks – Durham provides high-quality fillings depending on your specific needs. If you are considering fixing your smile using a custom filling or getting your dental health examined, get in touch with our practice in Durham, NC to make a consultation.