TREATMENTS

Tooth Fillings

There are many reasons our dentist may recommend fillings. When there is minimal decay, a faulty restoration, or minimal tooth structure missing, a filling may be placed to restore the tooth. If there is decay present, we clean and disinfect the tooth and replace the missing tooth structure with the filling. Fillings are usually tooth-colored and made from a composite resin material. Sometimes for children or adults, we may recommend a silver filling. During the procedure, we will use a gel conditioner on the tooth and a bonding agent. The filling is placed and a light is used to harden the resin. We will then finish and polish the filling and assure that your bite feels comfortable. Sometimes a ring or band is placed around the tooth to help shape the filling.

By treating decayed, chipped teeth early enough, it prevents further fracture and decay. In doing so, we can keep the disease from entering into the nerve and possibly avoid the need for root canal therapy.

If you need fillings/bonding on front teeth and are interested in whitening, we recommend whitening before the front teeth are treated. The reason for this is that whitening agents do not lighten tooth-colored filling/bonding materials or porcelain crowns.