Dental Fillings
At Premier Dental Care of Buckhead, we understand the importance of maintaining the health of your teeth. During routine checkups, we always evaluate your teeth for decay or damage. While we always recommend preventative measures first, sometimes additional restorative treatment is necessary to repair the decay or damage present. Restorative treatment comes in many forms, but one of the most common dental procedures are dental fillings.
What are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are a type of restorative material bonded directly to your tooth to restore structure, esthetics, and function. These fillings work to seal the tooth from future problems, as well.
Types of Dental Fillings?
- Composite fillings – These are the most common fillings we perform and are shaded to specifically match or improve the color of your teeth. They are made from a durable resin material that creates a strong bond to your enamel.
- Amalgam fillings – Also known as “silver fillings,” these were very common when many of us were younger. They offer great longevity but are less common now due to esthetics.
- Ceramic fillings – In instances where the filling is quite large, a porcelain filling may be recommended. These are extremely durable and look beautiful, as they are made from the same material as porcelain crowns and veneers. These types of fillings take two visits to complete.
What Happens During a Filling Appointment?
One of our doctors will see you after diagnosing a need for a dental filling and creating a treatment plan. In most instances, they will recommend numbing the tooth with our special Wand anesthetic device. Once you are comfortable, they will remove all decay and damage present. After preparing the tooth, the filling will be added through a special bonding protocol. Lastly, we will polish them to make sure they look and feel perfect!
Aftercare for Dental Fillings
With most fillings, you can function on them right away, keeping in mind that your teeth and gums may be numb for several hours. It’s important to continue to brush and floss around your dental fillings to prevent new decay from starting. It’s possible that you may experience some initial sensitivity after your teeth are restored and your mouth adjusts to some changes. We will continue to monitor all restorations at your checkup appointments to make sure they are all doing well. Call us today to see how we can help restore your mouth to give you the smile you want!
