Dental fillings are used to protect and add strength to teeth that have been compromised by decay, wear, or other damage. Whenever possible, Dr. Gauthier uses metal-free dental fillings in Northborough, MA, like composite resin or porcelain. Fillings are a conservative general dental treatment for tooth decay.
They help to stabilize the natural function of your smile. Treating tooth decay in the early stages of development can prevent the need for more advanced services such as a root canal or tooth extraction.
Tooth decay is a general dental problem and a leading dental health concern for children and adults. Decay is often a symptom of poor oral hygiene but can be prevented. A good at-home oral hygiene routine and biannual dental health exams can help to keep teeth cavity-free.
People who go to the dentist twice a year usually get fewer cavities. For kids, dental visits should start when their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday to protect their teeth early on.
Dental Fillings in Northborough, MA: What to Expect
Dental fillings are a routine procedure typically completed in just one visit to Apex Dental. We’ll use a local anesthetic to numb the area for your comfort. Then, you can return to your routine activities after treatment.
Composite Resin Dental Fillings
Composite resin fillings are also called white fillings. These fillings are made of a durable, biocompatible composite resin. It comes in a range of tooth-colored shades to match natural teeth perfectly.
We apply resin dental fillings to the tooth by hand without the aid of molds or other templates. Dr. Gauthier sculpts the resin in place. Then, he hardens the material with a curing light. You can get resin fillings in a single visit.
Dental Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are a type of indirect restoration. This means that the restoration is manufactured outside of the mouth and then bonded to the tooth. Dr. Gauthier uses CEREC technology to create porcelain fillings in a single visit.
First, we take a digital impression of the tooth. Then, Dr. Gauther creates the restoration with CEREC’s Computer-Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/CAM) software. After the inlay or onlay is complete, Dr. Gauthier bonds it to the tooth.
A dental inlay fits inside the contours of the tooth. An onlay covers the entire biting surface. We recommend this type of restoration when there is more significant damage to the tooth.
Replacing Metal Dental Fillings
Many patients with traditional amalgam fillings (metal fillings) choose to replace them with comfortable and attractive cosmetic fillings. Some patients are also sensitive to metal in their mouth and report a metallic taste or discomfort because of their metal dental filling.
Dr. Gauthier can replace your metal dental filling with either a composite resin dental filling, inlay, or onlay. If a tooth has more significant decay or damage, Dr. Gauthier may recommend a dental crown to hold the tooth together. Crowns offer protection, strength, and durability.
What Causes Tooth Decay?
Cavities are one of the most common oral health problems. Almost everyone gets a cavity at some point in their life. They’re commonly found in children. Children tend to have diets higher in sugar and aren’t as adept at brushing their teeth.
Older adults also get them often because our teeth wear down over time. Worn teeth make it easier for decay to penetrate the surface. However, people of any age can get cavities.
Cavities start when food sugars stick to your teeth. Germs in your mouth eat these sugars and make a sticky coating called plaque.
If you don’t brush well, plaque gets harder and turns into tartar. Tartar protects the germs while they keep damaging your tooth.
Over time, these germs work deeper into your tooth. First, they break through the hard outer layer (enamel). Then they reach the softer middle layer (dentin) where your tooth’s nerves are. This might make your tooth feel sensitive.
Finally, germs can reach the very center of your tooth (the pulp), which has nerves and blood vessels. When it gets infected, it swells up and causes pain because there’s no room for the swelling inside your tooth.
Dental Filling FAQs
Read answers to common questions about dental fillings in Northborough, MA, below:
Can children develop tooth decay?
Yes. Childhood tooth cavities are a leading health concern. Preventing tooth decay from an early age can allow your child to enjoy better lifelong oral health.
Children should begin practicing brushing habits as soon as their first tooth emerges. During this stage of development, children should begin visiting the dentist for routine checkups and to develop a healthy dentist-patient relationship.
What are my treatment options for tooth decay?
Treatment for tooth decay will vary depending on the stage of decay. Caught early, a dental filling, tooth inlay, or dental onlay can clear out the diseased tissue and save the tooth from extraction. Tooth decay left untreated can damage the tooth’s structural foundation. Severe decay requires a root canal or tooth extraction.
Do I need a filling for small tooth cavities?
Yes. Untreated cavities can cause larger issues down the road. Fortunately, filling a cavity is not an expensive procedure. Most (if not all) dental insurance plans cover treatment.
Do I need a filling or a crown?
We’ll recommend one or both treatments based on your needs. A filling is best for teeth with cavities and can preserve decayed teeth. Dental crowns cover damaged teeth like a cap.
Sometimes we may recommend a filling and a dental crown. A crown can stabilize a tooth with a large filling. We may also recommend a tooth crown for patients with weakened teeth.
Why don’t dentists use metal fillings?
While metal fillings are durable, they have many disadvantages. Metal fillings:
- Have elemental mercury
- Don’t bond to teeth
- Increase tooth sensitivity
- Don’t blend with the color of natural teeth
We recommend white fillings because they’re strong and blend in with the shade of natural teeth.
Are dental fillings safe for children?
Yes, fillings are safe for children. Our office uses white fillings, a safer option than silver fillings. Metal fillings can have trace amounts of mercury, which is linked to neurological problems. While in trace amounts, inhaling mercury vapors is a possibility when you bite and chew. Instead, we recommend safe composite materials.
How do you clean dental fillings?
You can brush and floss your fillings as you would natural teeth. Gently brush your fillings with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Brush twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once daily. Flossing before brushing removes food debris and bacteria between your teeth and gums.
Are fillings permanent?
No, fillings are not permanent. You may need them replaced over time. If the material chips or cracks, you may need filling repair. Composite fillings can last over 10 years.
Schedule an Appointment
Get safe dental fillings in Northborough, MA, today at Apex Dental. Call (508) 506-1691 or request a dental consultation with Dr. Gauthier on our website anytime.