Dental Fillings in Whittier
Restore esthetic of your smile & eliminate pain & sensitivity caused by cavities.
Benefits of Dental Fillings
- Eliminate pain & sensitivity caused by cavities.
- Restore the esthetic of your smile.
- Prevent further decay leading to a root canal.
Composite Dental Fillings
Composite dental fillings are tooth-colored material that repair chipped tooth, broken fillings, and replace tooth structure damaged by cavities. Dental fillings help save teeth that might otherwise be lost due to traumatic injury or deep cavity. Dental Fillings reduce risk of infections by safely and effectively fill a dental cavity to keep bacteria out of the damaged area. Dental filling in the early stages can save a tooth and prevent more invasive treatment and tooth loss. Untreated tooth decay causes serious problems that lead to a need for root canal treatment and a need for a dental crown to protect it. Dental fillings repair and protect your teeth from further damage and improve the look and function of your smile.
Source: American Dental Association (ADA)
Post-Operative Instructions & Home Care
SENSITIVITY TO HOT & COLD
It is normal to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after getting fillings done. The sensitivity will subside and go away with time. Give the tooth some time to heal. If there is sensitivity, you can use SENSODYNE SENSITIVITY Toothpaste to decrease the sensitivity.
AVOID: whitening toothpaste, acidic foods like Lemon, cherry, grapefruit.
SHARP PAIN WHEN BITING DOWN
Like going to a Tailor to get a new suit, the suit may need to be adjusted to be comfortable and perfect fit. When the tooth is still numb, you may not know if the bite feels high and is not a normal bite. If you experience pain when biting down, please give us a call so we can bring you back in to adjust the filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of dental filling is better?
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.
How long do fillings last in teeth?
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.
Do fillings hurt to get done?
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.
Do dental fillings fix cavities?
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.
Can you get rid of a cavity without a filling?
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.
Do fillings stop cavities from getting worse?
Dental fillings stop cavities from getting worse by sealing off bacteria from re-entering the tooth, thus preventing further decay.
How long can you leave a cavity untreated?
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.
What happens if you don't fill a cavity?
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.
How long does it take for a cavity to turn into a root canal?
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.
How do you tell if a cavity has reached the pulp?
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.
Do all fillings eventually need root canals?
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.
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