Tooth Filling
Muscle Shoals, AL
When a tooth has a cavity, it must be filled with a dental filling, or tooth filling. Fillings are used to restore lost tooth structure caused by cavities or damage.
The most common application of fillings is to restore a missing portion of a tooth after decay (sometimes known as a cavity) has been removed from the tooth. In addition to fixing cavities, fillings can fix cracked, fractured, or worn-out teeth.
Our professionals at Singing River Dentistry in Muscle Shoals, AL use tooth fillings to cure cavities and stop them from spreading to surrounding teeth and causing more serious dental problems.
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Do I Need a Tooth Filling?
A filling can repair minor chips or cracks in teeth and fill holes caused by dental decay.
Tooth decay can cause serious issues if the underlying structural concerns aren't addressed. Once decay has been removed, fillings can be used to protect the tooth further.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Indirect fillings can be either an inlay or an onlay.
Inlays are identical to fillings; however, unlike fillings, the entire restoration is placed into the cusps of the tooth's chewing surface.
Compared to inlays, onlays are more comprehensive as they can cover multiple cusps. Partial crowns are another name for onlays.
It has been estimated that inlays and onlays can last up to 30 years, significantly longer than silver amalgam fillings.
Dental fillings are made of composite resin, porcelain, and even gold. While all fillings impair a tooth's structure somewhat, inlays and onlays do so considerably less than amalgam fillings.
At Singing River Dentistry, we prepare and insert direct and indirect inlays and onlays in a single visit.
The amount of healthy tooth structure remaining and your aesthetic goals will determine whether an inlay or onlay is chosen.
What Is the Process of Getting a Dental Filling?
Our doctors will first sedate the area around the defective tooth with a local anesthetic.
They will remove the damaged part using an air abrasion tool, drill, or laser. The tool we use will depend on the location and severity of the decay.
The next step in the procedure to remove decay is to probe the area to check whether all of the damage has been cleared.
After it has been taken care of, we will clean the tooth cavity to prepare for the filling.
We may first insert a composite resin, a glass ionomer liner, or some other material to shield the nerve if the damage is close to the root.
Then, we will polish the filling after it has been placed.
Tooth-colored fillings necessitate a few supplementary procedure steps. After the decay is removed and the region is cleaned, Our doctors will apply the tooth-colored material in layers. Next, a curing or hardening light is applied to each layer.
After the composite material has been layered, they will shape it, remove any excess, and polish it to achieve the desired effect.
What Are the Different Types of Tooth Fillings?
 These days, patients can choose from a variety of dental filling materials:
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Gold fillings, silver amalgam fillings, porcelain, plastic, tooth-colored fillings, and termed composite fillings are all dental filling materials used to restore teeth.
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Glass ionomer is another substance used in dental fillings.
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Composite resin fillings are a close equivalent to how this material is utilized.
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The ideal filling for you will depend on factors such as the location and severity of the decay, the pricing of the filling material, available medical insurance, and the doctor or dentist's advice. |
Are Dental Fillings Safe?
All dental filling materials have received FDA approval and can be used without worry. Infection and damage to the tooth are major concerns while obtaining fillings.
A filling can come loose from a tooth and leave a small hole if too much force is applied to the filling. Germs can worsen tooth decay and infections in this area.
Also, dental fillings can crack or even come out entirely.
What and When Can I Eat After a Dental Filling?
If you have fillings placed in your teeth, you should wait at least two hours before returning to normal eating habits.
Avoid using the tooth where the filling was placed for the first 24 hours after getting the filling because of the sensitivity it may create.
We also advise you to be careful what you eat (and avoid eating) after getting a filling:
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Vegetables and fruits that have been cooked, smoothies, protein drinks, and dairy items are all great options for re-introducing solid food into your diet after getting a tooth filled.
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You should avoid hard, sticky, or hot and cold foods after having a tooth filled.
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Chewing or swallowing these substances while your teeth are still healing can cause pain, set off other dental difficulties, and might dislodge your filling, which would require another dental appointment.
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To prevent these problems from occurring, you should refrain from eating foods like chips, gum, peanuts, granola bars, hard candies, bread, sticky sweets, caramel, popcorn, and other similar goods.
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You should drink smoothies, but they shouldn't be ice-cold or searing hot until you're feeling better. Put off drinking anything extreme in temperature. |
If you break a tooth or the filling comes loose, wait to eat anything until you've made another appointment with us.
Call Today and Schedule a Dental Filling in Muscle Shoals, AL!
Please get in touch with us at 256-712-3186 if you have a cavity or other signs of tooth decay to set up an appointment for a dental filling. Our doctors will examine the outside of each tooth for signs of discoloration, sensitivity to temperature changes, or defects. The procedure will be tailored to the level of damage and the agreed-upon filler material. At Singing River Dentistry, we will help you decide what material will suit your needs and last for a long time.
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