If you have cavities, then you are probably familiar with the dreaded solution: dental fillings. When tooth decay has started, but the tooth is still in relatively good shape, a tooth-colored filling is the best option to prevent loss of the tooth later on.
At Anderson Dental Care in Cincinnati, we use some of the most modern filling materials to give you a more natural and long-lasting filling. In the past, fillings were generally made with a metal mixture called amalgam, which uses mercury as a binding agent to strengthen the other metals used. For many people, mercury is a health concern. While the FDA continues to approve the use of amalgam as a safe choice for types of dental fillings, many people still prefer resin. Resin is a mix of plastic and glass, which does an excellent job of bonding to the tooth and can be created in a shade to match the tooth.
When you come in for your appointment at our dental office in Anderson Township, we will begin by numbing the area around the damaged tooth. If you are scared or anxious about getting your filling, we also have sedation options available.
Once you are comfortable, we will remove the decayed part of your tooth and reshape the hole to allow for the most effective filling for teeth. We will then fill the cavity and bond the resin using a special light that quickly sets and hardens the filling.
After your filling is complete, you will be able to eat like normal. It is typical for patients to have a bit of sensitivity after getting a filling, but that will pass quickly.
It might surprise you to learn that fillings aren’t meant to be permanent. In most cases your dental fillings can last about ten years before they need to be examined for signs of deterioration that can cause cavities and destroy a filled tooth.
At Anderson Dental Care we place fillings made of state-of-the-art dental composite, a material that is vastly superior to the old metal amalgam you probably have in your teeth. There are a lot of good reasons to remove an old filling – hopefully you can find some good information about your dental fillings in this blog post!
Composite Fillings: What Are They?
Dental composite is a mixture of glass and plastic that is designed to look, feel, and act just like the natural parts of your tooth. It is biocompatible, long-lasting, and safe to use. A lot of the patients we see at our Cincinnati dentist office are amazed by the invisible look of their dental composite fillings – some can’t even tell where it’s located!
Composite fillings are placed in your teeth while soft, and are shaped to blend seamlessly with the natural portions of a tooth. Once in place we fuse your filling with a special curing light and you’re all set! You’ll be able to enjoy your new smile right away and with proper care your tooth-colored filling can last just as long as a metal one.
Mercury-Free Fillings!
While the mercury contained in dental fillings has no definite link to health risks it’s still a peace-of-mind issue for many of our patients. We understand that mercury can make people nervous and we would love to help you feel better about the state of your smile.
Dental composite is completely biocompatible, meaning that it integrates with your body with minimal to no risk. It’s a safe, effective, and long-lasting alternative to metals that will not only leave you with a healthier smile: it’ll leave you with a better looking one as well!
Metal Can’t Bind To Teeth
One of the biggest concerns that come with old fillings is the loss of cement that attaches them to teeth. Metal amalgam can’t bind to your teeth so placing them requires two measures: the use of cement to hold the filling in place and additional tooth removal to create a space for the filling to hook on.
As the cement wears away it leaves you with a small gap between your tooth and the filling. You won’t be able to see the gap but it’s just large enough to allow oral bacteria to get in and cause decay. Without proper treatment you can end up with serious tooth decay that’s nearly impossible to detect!
Replacing your metal fillings after ten years is essential to maintaining oral health. Our composite dental fillings are able to bond to your teeth so that they’ll never need cement at all. As long as the filling stays in place you’ll never have to worry about an internal cavity.
Your Filling Needs To Flex, Just Like Your Teeth
Did you know that your teeth actually bend ever so slightly? When you chew food the teeth in your mouth distribute force to prevent damage. If that force can’t be distributed properly you can end up with microfractures that can cause decay and serious pain! Guess what can’t flex and give like a natural tooth? That’s right: metal amalgam.
Dental composite is designed to flex just like your natural teeth. It’s designed to mimic every aspect of your natural teeth so that it complements them instead of simply being a big hard lump that makes proper function a problem. With a tooth-colored dental composite filling you won’t have to worry about microfractures or tooth damage due to old metal fillings!
Don’t Wait To Replace That Filling
If you’ve been putting off a filling replacement or have never even thought about the need to replace a filling you should consider coming to our Cincinnati dentist office to have an exam. We could find that a filling – even one younger than ten years – is in need of replacement to preserve and protect your beautiful teeth.
If you think you need a tooth-colored filling, or would like more information about tooth decay, call our office today at (513) 716-1192, or schedule an appointment using our online form.