Dental Fillings
A dental filling is used to restore a chipped tooth or a tooth damaged by decay, preventing further damage. The procedure typically involves the following steps:
Numbing: The dentist will numb the area around the affected tooth to ensure you do not have any discomfort throughout the procedure.
Removing Decay: The dentist uses a drill or laser to remove the decayed or broken portion of the tooth.
Cleaning: The cavity is cleaned to remove any remaining bacteria or debris.
Filling: The cavity is filled with composite resin, amalgam, or porcelain, which is shaped to match the tooth's natural contours.
Hardening: The filling material is hardened, either by a special light (for composite fillings) or by natural setting (for other materials).
Finishing: The dentist will smooth and adjust the filling to ensure it fits comfortably and doesn’t interfere with your bite.
Different Types of Filling Materials:
Composite (white) fillings
Amalgam (silver) fillings
Gold fillings
Porcelain fillings
Why Composite?
At SRQ Dental, we primarily use composite (white) fillings for several important reasons. White fillings are made from a durable resin that can be custom-matched to the color of your natural teeth, making them virtually invisible. In contrast, silver amalgam fillings, contain mercury which can pose health risks.
Composite fillings also bond directly to the tooth. This provides extra support to the surrounding structure, makes them less likely to fall out, helps to prevent breakage, and protects against temperature changes. Silver amalgam restorations are notorious for causing large cracks over time, as the material expands and contracts at a different rate than natural tooth structure. This can often lead to micro-leakage and unexpected, painful fractures seemingly out of the blue.