Dental fillings are used by our Kids First Dental dentists to treat cavities caused by decay. The dentist will remove the decayed area of the tooth and fill that area to repair the tooth. Fillings are also occasionally used to repair damage to a tooth caused by tooth grinding.
Dental Filling Procedure
The dental filling procedure is fairly straightforward. First, our dentists will confirm that you have cavities or decay that needs to be filled. Then, you can schedule an appointment at our Martinsville, VA office.
Depending on the patient, you may be administered some light sedation, such as laughing gas, or you may choose to simply have the area injected with a local anesthetic. This will numb the area around the tooth.
Once the area is numb, our dentist will use a drill to remove the decayed portion of the tooth. You will feel the dentist probing the area from time to time. They are checking the area to make sure that all decay has been removed before preparing your tooth for the filling.
Our Kids First Dental dentists will then clean the area, ensuring that the tooth is free of all bacteria, decay, and any debris. Sometimes the decayed area happens to be close to the root of the tooth. If this is the case, our dentists may apply composite resin to protect the nerve. Once cleaned, your tooth is now ready for the filling to be applied.
If you opt for a tooth-colored filling in Martinsville, VA, this material will be applied in layers. A special light will be applied after each layer to harden it. Once all the layers have been applied, our dentists will shape the material and trim off any excess.
Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings vs. Silver Amalgam
Now, many people opt to have tooth-colored fillings rather than the silver amalgam fillings of the past. While both materials do the job, patients more interested in the look of their fillings may choose tooth-colored. However, silver amalgam fillings are quite durable, and often outlast the composite fillings. Each patient will have to consider their options and make their own choice.
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