Dental Fillings

Top Rated Cosmetic Dentist in Santa Clara

Dental fillings are a treatment to restore a tooth that is damaged due to decay. This procedure is done to fill up the cavities in your teeth/tooth with a synthetic substance that can prevent infection, pain, and sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

How do you know if you need Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings primarily deal with minor breaks in teeth and decay. In case you are concerned that you have holes or cavities in your teeth or are experiencing pain when brushing your teeth or consuming hot or cold foods, it is an indication that you may require dental fillings.

What does the procedure involve?

There are 5 steps that most dental practitioners follow when it comes to dental fillings. These are:

•  Application of a local anesthesia: This is done to numb the area where the filling needs to go to prevent any discomfort to the patient.
• Tooth decay removal: The dentist will then cut through the enamel using an oral drill to remove any decay present. After this, the dentist will shape the space to make it ready for the filling.
• Etching: This is done in case of a bonded filling. The dentist will etch your teeth with an acid gel and then place the filling material.
• Resin application: This is a step that is required only for certain types of fillings. Here, the dentist will layer on the resin and harden it using a bright light. This is done to make the system strong and last longer.
• Polishing: The final step after the filling has been placed involves polishing the newly placed artificial enamel.
  
  

What kind of materials can be used to fill cavities?

Dental fillings aren’t the type of commodity that comes with the “one size fits all” criteria. Instead, depending on your teeth and the reason the filling is being done, different materials may be required to protect your gums. The most commonly used materials include gold, amalgam, composite resins, and porcelain.

When do you need a tooth extraction?

This is the last resort a dentist usually goes after other treatment options have been discussed and eliminated. For instance, if your enamel is too far decayed, extraction becomes necessary. In this procedure, the tooth is surgically removed from the gum in order to prevent the gums and other teeth from getting damaged or infected.

Maria Balce, D.D.S. is a highly rated dental practice in Santa Clara, which offers both restorative and extractive dental treatments. Call us at (626) 336-7567 to book an appointment.