Dental Tooth Filling
Irvine, CA
 Our team of experts here at Irvine Dentistry are ready to perform all your tooth fillings. A filling refers to the restoration of a tooth damaged due to decay so that it reverts to its regular shape and function. When you come for a filling, our dentist will first remove the tooth material showing decay before cleaning the area in your tooth that is affected. This will help get rid of any lingering bacteria. Our experts will then carefully fill the clean cavity using filling material.
The filling is important as it closes off spaces that can form the entry point for bacteria, hence preventing further decay. Common materials that our professionals use for filling include gold, composite resin, amalgam, and porcelain. The composite resin is a tooth-colored filling while the amalgam represents an alloy of copper, mercury, silver, zinc or tin.
Types of Fillings
There is no single choice of filling which can be categorized as best for everyone. The right filling for you will depend on various factors including the level of repair needed for your teeth, your risk to allergies caused by some material, the position of the filling, and the cost. Our experts consider various materials depending on their suitability to the individual case.
Gold material fillings are laboratory-made before they can be cemented in the correct place. Gum tissues often tolerate gold inlays well, which can last more than two decades. These combinations of factors have led many to consider this filling the best; hence, they are highly recommended by our professionals.
Amalgam fillings are also highly recommended due to their resistance to deterioration. They are also cheaper in price compared to gold fillings. However, it is easy to notice these fillings compared to composite or porcelain restorations because of their dark color, hence we recommend using these fillings in areas that are not very visible.
Composite resins are made in a way that matches the color of your teeth, hence usually installed in areas where you desire a natural appearance such as the front-facing teeth. After mixing the ingredients, they are directly placed into the space and allowed to harden. Due to their ability to wear with time, our professionals do not recommend them as the best material for carrying out large fillings. They last between 3 and 10 years, and they can be stained by tea, tobacco or coffee.
Porcelain fillings are also known as inlays and onlays. These fillings are laboratory-produced and bonded to your tooth. They are able to match the color of your tooth and the cost averages the same as gold fillings.
The Filling Procedure
A dental exam and x-rays will be used first to identify which teeth may be in need of a filling. Once our team makes this determination, we begin the process by removing the decay and then clean the area affected. One of the different types of fillings will then be used to fill your cavity. The choice of filling will be arrived at through discussion between yourself and our Dentist. Depending on the choice made, the procedure may be completed during the same appointment or may require you to come back on a different day when the lab is ready with the permanent filling.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you are around Irvine, CA and suffering tooth pain and suspect decay, do visit our clinic to get a professional diagnosis and treatment options. Call Irvine Dentistry at (949) 656-2933 today! |
