Dental Fillings
Dental Services by Michael J. Spitzer, DDS
About Dental Fillings
Advances in modern dental materials and techniques increasingly offer new ways to create more pleasing, natural-looking smiles. Researchers are continuing their often decades-long work developing esthetic materials, such as porcelain or composite resin that mimics the appearance of natural teeth. As a result, dentists and patients today have several choices when it comes to selecting materials used to repair worn, damaged or decayed teeth.
Restoration options include alternatives to amalgam (a traditional filling material) such as cast gold, porcelain, and composite resins. Before placing a filling, Dr. Michael Spitzer consults with patients to help you choose the filling option and treatment plan that best suits your dental health and cosmetic goals.
What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is a procedure used to treat a small hole or cavity in a tooth. Composite resins can be used as fillings for small to medium tooth caries. This type of material provides a more natural, tooth-colored appearance.
A filling is applied to teeth to restore them after decay has damaged them. Your dentist first removes any decay in the tooth and thoroughly cleans the area. Once it is cleaned, a filling is applied to close off any areas where bacteria and plaque can enter the tooth. These fillings can be made of a variety of materials including porcelain, ceramic or composite resin.
Common Types of Dental Fillings
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-mid size restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure. Composites can also be "bonded" or adhesively held in a cavity, often allowing the dentist to make a more conservative repair to the tooth. In teeth where chewing loads are high, composite fillings are less resistant to wear than silver amalgams.
Porcelain (ceramic) Dental Materials
All-porcelain (ceramic) dental materials include porcelain, ceramic or glasslike fillings and crowns. They are used as inlays, onlays, crowns and aesthetic veneers. A veneer is a very thin shell of porcelain that can replace or cover part of the enamel of the tooth. All-porcelain (ceramic) restorations are particularly desirable because their color and translucency mimic natural tooth enamel. All-porcelain restorations require a minimum of two visits and possibly more. The restorations are prone to fracture when placed under tension or on impact. Their strength depends on an adequate thickness of porcelain and the ability to be bonded to the underlying tooth. They are highly resistant to wear but the porcelain can quickly wear opposing teeth if the porcelain surface becomes rough.
Process for Dental Fillings
✓ Numb The Area - The dentist will numb the area with an anesthetic injection.
✓ Prepare the Tooth - They will prepare the tooth by cleaning the decayed area with a dental drill. A suction tool will also be used. An acidic gel is applied to rough the tooth surface so it bonds well with the filling.
✓ Applying the Filling - The bonding material and the layers of composite material will be applied. Each composite layer will be dried using a special light, which will take 1-2 minutes between each layer.
Caring for Dental Fillings
After receiving a composite filling, your tooth should function normally. However, you should wait until all effects of any anesthesia are gone before eating or drinking, especially anything hot. Some people may need to eat soft foods temporarily to avoid irritating any mild initial discomfort or sensitivity with eating.
Brush and floss with care for the first day after the procedure. Any soreness from the numbing injection should be manageable with over-the-counter pain medication.
If you are looking for a dentist who takes an honest, personalized approach to dental fillings and restorative care, book an appointment with Dr. Michael Spitzer today. Costa Mesa dentist, Dr. Michael Spitzer, provides honest and thorough examinations and treatment plans to help each patient make the best decision for his or her oral and dental health.
A healthy, confident smile starts here.
Address
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
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Phone & Fax
(949) 642-2019 fax