Protect Your Teeth From Cavities With Dental Fillings
Cavities can form as a result of poor oral hygiene, unaddressed tooth decay, or a high sugar diet. This common dental issue can lead to further complications like infection and can leave your teeth with holes. Not only will this impact your smile’s functionality, but also its appearance, too.
At Luck Dental Clinic, Dr. Clemenson is proud to offer durable dental fillings to help patients protect and restore their healthy smiles. Explore our guide to dental fillings to learn how you may benefit.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Also known as composite fillings, dental fillings consist of a tooth-colored resin designed to seamlessly blend in with your smile. Unlike silver (amalgam) fillings, this resin bonds better to your tooth enamel, leaving you less likely to fracture a tooth.
Fillings are ideal for treating teeth affected by cavities, as they provide a strong and long-lasting shield against bacteria. Composite resin is a safer alternative to metal fillings, which could break down over time and stain your teeth and gums.
Benefits of Dental Fillings
Composite dental fillings come with a host of benefits that make them a preferred method of tooth restoration. Some benefits include:
- Customized Appearance: Dr. Clemenson can customize your fillings to match the shape and color of your surrounding teeth for a natural appearance.
- Prevents Infection: Dental fillings can protect your teeth against harmful bacteria and further damage or decay.
- Durability: Fillings are made to withstand your daily activities, and can last up to 15 years before needing to be replaced.
- Mercury-Free: Composite resin doesn’t contain any mercury, protecting your overall health as well as preventing staining of your teeth and gums.
- Preserves Tooth Structure: This type of filling requires the removal of less enamel compared to metal fillings, maintaining your tooth’s natural structure.
When Are Dental Fillings Necessary?
Dental fillings are typically recommended for patients whose teeth have been affected by cavities, as it’s essential to protect the tooth from further damage. Dr. Clemenson may also recommend dental fillings to patients with:
- Persistent toothaches
- Missing or broken fillings
- Severely decayed teeth
- Irreparably damaged teeth
- Extreme dental sensitivity
If you think you may benefit from a dental filling, don’t wait to schedule an appointment, call our Luck office at (715) 472-2211. Dr. Clemenson will assess your situation and determine if a filling is right for you, as well as discuss your other treatment options.
The Dental Filling Process
When you need a dental filling, you can trust that our Luck dentist will provide the best treatment options. A dental filling procedure takes one short appointment at our Luck dental office. Dr. Clemenson will begin by taking an X-ray of your teeth and gums to see the extent of the damage. If the cavity extends beyond the tooth enamel, she’ll provide you with nitrous oxide to ensure you don’t feel any pain or discomfort during treatment.
Regardless of the cavity’s reach, Dr. Clemenson will administer a local anesthetic before removing any decayed or damaged tissue from the tooth using specialized dental tools. She’ll then use a composite resin to fill the cavity and restore your tooth’s look and function.
A special light will harden the resin layer-by-layer, allowing for a strong and durable restoration. Finally, Dr. Clemenson will smooth and polish your filling to ensure it feels natural and doesn’t interfere with your bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental fillings can last up to 15 years with proper care. This includes maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, as well as rinsing between meals. It’s also important to schedule biannual appointments at our Luck office for regular dental exams and cleanings. This will ensure that both your fillings and oral health are in good condition.
In most cases, it’s possible to switch out your old silver fillings for new composite ones. This procedure provides the strength and longevity of amalgam (silver) fillings while seamlessly blending in with the rest of your smile. During your initial consultation, we’ll examine your old fillings and determine if it’s the safest and most effective option to replace them with composite fillings.
The cost of your dental filling procedure will depend on several factors, such as how many teeth require treatment. At your initial consultation, Dr. Clemenson will provide you with a cost estimate. We recommend contacting your dental insurance provider ahead of time to learn what sort of coverage your plan will provide.
You can also visit our financing page to learn more about our affordable plans, such as our in-house Dental Perks savings program. We accept payments through CareCredit and the Wells Fargo Health Advantage® Credit Card, third-party financing options designed to help patients pay for their treatments.