Dental fillings in Weston, FL
Every dentist has a wide variety of treatment options and materials available to restore damaged teeth.
Regardless of the damage complexity or severity, the dentist can usually save a tooth with a dental filling. This is a frequent procedure that is performed daily in most dental offices.
However, Your dentist will choose the most appropriate filling based on the unique features of your case.
At Advantage Dental, we are trained to determine the best type of filling for your tooth and provide you with a high-quality and long-lasting restoration.
What is a dental filling?
As the name suggests, a dental filling is a procedure that consists of filling the damaged or missing portion of a tooth with a restoration material.
These materials are designed to restore the teeth' shape, function, and aesthetics. Therefore, they are highly resistant to withstand the biting forces without breaking or chipping.
However, each type of material has unique characteristics and indications. For this reason, the dentist must be careful when deciding what material to use.
Dental fillings are often performed when the patient suffers from tooth decay or has experienced damage from, perhaps, a tooth fracture. Therefore, they can relieve toothache and tooth sensitivity. However, dentists can also perform dental fillings to solve aesthetic issues.
Although every dentist is trained to perform dental fillings, the cosmetic dentist usually has more profound knowledge and expertise regarding aesthetic restorations.
How is a dental filling performed?
The steps to perform a dental filling can vary slightly depending on the type of restoration, the material, and the reason it is being done. Nonetheless, dental fillings always require tooth prepping.
In dental cavity cases, the dentist removes the decayed portion using the handpiece. Afterward, the edges and the cavity floor are prepared so the dentist can place the filling materials safely.
However, if you have a fracture, your dentist will smooth the rough edges of the fracture before restoring it.
Most restoration materials, such as dental resins and ceramics, must be bonded to the tooth using a special bonding agent. Otherwise, they dislodge and fall off.
Different types of dental fillings
There are several types of dental fillings, such as:
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Dental resins:
This is the standard type of filling. It is done with dental composite resin.
Dental resins are soft and easy to handle. This allows the dentist to shape them and make them look exactly like the missing part of the tooth. Furthermore, they come in different colors and shades to match the tooth's color.
Once shaped, the dentist hardens it using a dental curing light.
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Dental amalgams:
Dental amalgams were widely used before the development of dental composites. These materials are made of a mix of metal elements.
They are highly resistant and durable. However, they lack good aesthetic properties due to their gray color.
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Dental inlay/dental onlay:
These restorations are used when the tooth damage is extensive and can't be filled with dental composite or amalgam.
They are made on a dental impression of the mouth and then bonded to the tooth.
If you need a dental filling, let our team of professionals restore your teeth at Advantage Dental.
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