Tooth fillings

Despite your efforts to keep teeth clean and healthy, sometimes cavities are unavoidable. Luckily, Dr. Suresh Patel offers white composite fillings at Pt Chevalier Dental Center. A composite filling is a tooth-coloured plastic and glass mixture used to restore teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the colour of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

If bacteria has worn away a small portion of your tooth, you may need a filling. If you are experiencing toothache or sensitivity, ask Dr. Patel about dental fillings. He may also be able to detect decay at a regular visit, before you notice any symptoms.

Dental fillings will build the tooth up and restore its natural function. White fillings are highly stain resistant and will protect the tooth from future damage.

Fillings restore broken and decayed tooth structure with the look and feel of your natural teeth and help protect teeth while preventing the spread of decay and infection. They are easily incorporated with the tooth’s natural structure and unlike metal fillings, they DO NOT contain mercury.

Why choose tooth-coloured fillings over other dental treatments?

• Attractive: Tooth-coloured fillings portray a convincingly natural look. They’ll fit right in with your real pearly whites.
• Healthy: White fillings are composed of a highly biocompatible material.
• Low Risk: There is a low risk of side effects associated with white fillings. Chances are, you won’t experience an allergic reaction or metal sensitivity.

Direct restorations are for small fillings and can be placed in a single appointment. Indirect restorations are for larger fillings or to replace more tooth structure and require two appointments.

During your first indirect filling appointment, Dr Patel will shape the tooth, take impressions and send them to a dental laboratory while you wear a temporary. You can promptly return for the permanent fillings in about 1 week.

For a direct or indirect dental filling, Dr Patelwill administer a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. He will remove the decayed portion of the tooth, clean the surrounding area, and then fill the cavity.

To begin, our dentist uses a numbing gel (topical anaesthetic) on the area where the injection will be inserted. This will help to ease any discomfort. A local anaesthetic injection is then used to numb the entire area that will be worked on. Once total anaesthesia is achieved, the dentist will proceed to remove the decay from the tooth and prepare it for the filling.

The surface of the tooth is etched with an acid gel before being washed and dried. We then apply priming and bonding agent to the tooth and set it with a special blue light. Our dentist will select a shade of composite that matches your natural tooth colour and apply it to the area. Once the composite is free from air bubbles and smoothed it is set with the special light.

To ensure your bite is correct you will be asked to bite on carbon paper. If the filling is too high, the dentist will lower the filling to fit your bite. Finally, any rough spots will be smoothed by a mild abrasive. Your filling will now be complete and ready for you to eat and drink as normal.

Gum care is an extremely important part of your overall dental hygiene and looking after your gums now will help in the long run.

You should care strictly for your dental fillings and your natural teeth. Continue to brush and floss regularly. Keep regular exams and cleanings with Dr Patel.

When you treat your white fillings well, they will maintain an attractive appearance and boost your overall health for years.

If you need dental fillings, or you haven’t had an exam in 6 months, give us a call right away. We are eager to give you a great dental experience at Pt Chevalier Dental Center.

A filling is necessary when a decay has destroyed a part of the tooth. The dentist needs to remove the decay and then, place a material to recreate the morphology of the missing tooth structure.

We consider that composite resin (white fillings) is the filling material of choice for several reasons. For example, composite fillings preserve the natural tooth structure and are more aesthetic than amalgam fillings.