Fillings

The longer you go without treating a cavity, the more damage it causes to the tooth. Fortunately, getting a filling is a simple process at My Tooth Place in Westminster, California. Aury Arroyo-Lourenco, DDS, and the team offer composite resin filling to ensure natural-looking results. To learn more about the filling options available at My Tooth Place, call the office or book a consultation online today.

What are fillings?

A dental filling is a way to treat a cavity and prevent new cavities from forming in the same place. Getting a filling can restore the tooth’s function and shape while preventing more decay from harming your tooth. It’s a quick, simple procedure that you can finish in one office visit. 

At My Tooth Place, your dentist offers local anesthesia to make your mouth numb before they start the filling procedure. Using a drill, they create an opening in the enamel of the tooth and remove the decay. 

Your dentist makes sure all harmful bacteria are out of the space before placing the filling, and they might place a liner first to protect the nerve inside the tooth. After your dentist prepares the area, they can put the filling in.

What are the differences between filling options?

My Tooth Place offers different fillings, and your dentist can tell you which is best for you. Metals like gold or silver amalgam make strong fillings, but they stand out and are often visible when you open your mouth or smile. My Tooth Place offers composite resin fillings for a more natural appearance.

Composite resin fillings have a formula of glass or quartz and work well to treat small to medium cavities. They come in a semi-liquid form that your dentist paints on your teeth layer by layer. After your dentist applies the layers, they harden the material with a bright curing light.

How long do fillings last?

Eventually, you’ll need to replace your dental fillings. Just like your natural teeth, the materials in your fillings can wear down. Composite resin fillings also stain like natural teeth, so you might choose to replace your filling because of discoloration. 

Composite resin fillings don’t last quite as long as other options, seven years on average, but the process of getting them is quick and simple. To extend the life of your filling, you should practice good oral hygiene and attend your professional cleanings and exams at My Tooth Place every six months. 

To learn more about your filling options, call My Tooth Place or request an appointment online today.