Dental Filling
Teaneck, NJ
Tooth decay occurs due to harmful bacteria in your mouth that produce acids or toxins that weaken the tooth enamel, leading to a cavity. Cavities are small holes in a tooth, and a filling is used to repair the damaged tooth.
Our dentists usually remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill the space left with a filling material. Severe tooth decay can destroy the whole tooth, causing serious infections and eventually tooth loss. Practicing good oral health habits such as brushing your teeth twice a day can prevent cavity formations and even the need for dental fillings.
Visit us at RJ Dental to learn more about dental fillings.
Types of Filling Materials Available
Numerous dental filling materials range from tooth-colored, silver amalgam, gold, porcelain, and composite resin fillings. Your dentist will determine the best filling type for you depending on the extent of the decay and the location of the tooth to be treated.
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Gold fillings are pleasing and durable. They can last up to 15 years, and tolerate chewing forces. On the other hand, they are more costly than other filling materials, and require more visits to the dentist than other types of fillings.
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Silver amalgam fillings are also long-lasting and can last for more than 10 years. They withstand chewing forces well and are less expensive. However, they don't match natural tooth color very well. These fillings can form a grayish hue around the tooth structure.
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Composite fillings are ideal for repairing broken, chipped, or worn teeth. These tooth-colored fillings bond well with the tooth structure, offering extra support. They come in a wide variety of colors, allowing them to be matched closely with the existing tooth color. The main disadvantage of these composite fillings is that they are not as durable as other dental fillings. Furthermore, these fillings can cause chipping and take more time to be filled. |
Dental Filling Procedure
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Before your tooth is filled, your dentist will administer an anesthetic to numb the affected area surrounding your tooth.
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The dentist will then remove the decayed part of your tooth using a drill, laser, or air abrasion instrument. The instrument used mainly depends on the extent and location of the decay.
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Your dentist will examine the area to see whether all the decayed parts have been removed. Then, the dentist will then clean the cavity to eliminate debris and bacteria.
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If the decay touches the root, your dentist will place a liner to protect the nerves.
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The dentist will fill the cavity and polish the filling. |
Tooth-colored fillings require additional steps after removing the decay and cleaning the cavity. Your dentist will apply the tooth-colored materials in layers. Then, the dentist will use a special light to harden or cure every layer. Once the dentist completes the multi-layering procedure, they will shape and polish the filling to attain the desired result by trimming off excess material.
Schedule in Teaneck NJ & Roselle NJ Today!
RJ Dental provides dental filling services. Call us today at (551) 369-2001 to get more details about dental fillings and to schedule an appointment with us. |
