Dental Fillings in Whittier

Amalgam fillings (Silver fillings) are known for their strength & durability. With amalgam fillings, there is not a perfect seal between the tooth and the silver fillings, as a result, cavities form under the silver fillings.  Patients are also exposed to mercury when amalgam fillings are placed and when they are removed.

Composite fillings (tooth-colored fillings) do not place patients at risk of mercury because there is no mercury in composite fillings. With composite fillings, less tooth structure is removed. Composite fillings are popular because they mimic the look of natural teeth.  Composite fillings are recommended over amalgam fillings.  Composite fillings are better than amalgam fillings because they look like natural teeth, and they do not contain mercury toxin. 

Amalgam fillings known for their strength & durability can last between 10-15 years, while composite fillings can last about 5-10 years with good oral hygiene, routine dental check-ups & dental cleanings.

Advancement in dentistry has made getting dental fillings a pain-free process. Local anesthetics are used to ensure patient comfort and a painless dental experience.

Dental cavities are the decayed parts of the tooth that are removed by the dentist. After removing the decay, dental fillings are placed into the tooth. Dental fillings fix cavities by restoring the shape, appearance and function of the tooth.

In the very early stages of dental decay, high concentration of topical fluoride treatments & improved oral hygiene can heal the enamel and fix the cavity. But, once a cavity has progressed beyond the enamel, dental fillings are necessary to repair the tooth.

Dental fillings stop cavities from getting worse by sealing off bacteria from re-entering the tooth, thus preventing further decay.

Leaving cavities untreated, will allow the decay to progress into your nerve that will require root canal treatment to remove the bacterial infection. Like a leaking roof, the longer you wait the bigger the problem and the more expensive the solution. It’s best not to leave cavities untreated. Routine dental checkups allow for early detection of cavities to ensure they don’t turn into big problems.

If you don’t fill a cavity, it can progress into your nerve and cause tremendous amount of pain and infection. Like a leaking roof, the longer you wait the bigger the problem and the more expensive the solution.

No one can say with certainty how long it takes for a cavity to turn into a root canal because it depends on multiple factors that determine the rate of your tooth decay: 1) Types of Food you eat 2) Your oral hygiene 3) Your body’s healing ability. If you eat or drink lots of sugary foods/drinks, tooth decay will progress quicker into a root canal. If you have poor oral hygiene, more oral bacteria are present to turn a cavity into a root canal. If your body’s healing ability is poor, it will not be able to fight against the bacteria invading your tooth, this can turn a cavity into a root canal quickly. Good oral hygiene, Routine check-ups & dental cleaning help to prevent the need for a root canal.

Signs that indicate a cavity has reached the pulp are swelling, throbbing pain, sensitivity & pain to hot and cold, tooth abscess, pus exiting the gum. Dental X-rays are necessary to help confirm diagnosis of tooth infection. If you have a toothache, please see your dentist today.

Most dental fillings do not eventually need root canals. If the cavities were detected early enough, dental fillings are conservative and do not eventually result in a root canal. Good oral hygiene, routine dental checkups & cleaning can contribute to the longevity of your fillings and your overall dental health.