Dental Fillings
Tooth-Colored Fillings in Wilmington, NC
The biggest threat to your oral health is tooth decay. Although cavities are preventable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates at least 92% of adults have had at least one in a permanent tooth. If you have a cavity in one of your teeth, getting a filling as soon as possible can help ward off infection and shore up your tooth.
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What is a Cavity?
Dental cavities are holes in teeth that form when acid in the mouth wears down or erodes a tooth’s hard outer layer (enamel). Once the cavity forms in the enamel, it can continue to spread deeper into the layers of your teeth. Cavities can lead to severe toothache, infection, and tooth loss if left untreated.
What is a Tooth-Colored Filling?
Tooth-colored fillings are dental restorations designed to be inconspicuous and natural in appearance. They’re made of ceramic and plastic compounds that can be customized to match the shade of your tooth, so they’re almost unnoticeable by other people.
Dental fillings help to even out the surface of the damaged teeth to improve their functionality and shape while preventing further decay. If you suspect you have a cavity, brushing more won’t solve the problem. Only a dental filling can protect your tooth from further damage.
Tooth-colored fillings have several advantages over other filling materials, including:
- Natural-looking: Tooth-colored fillings blend in with your surrounding tooth structure so no one else can tell you have a cavity filled. Whether you are laughing, speaking, or yawning, all anyone will see is your beautiful, white teeth.
- Provides additional support: Because dental fillings chemically bond to the tooth’s surface like an adhesive, they provide further support to the tooth and resist fractures better.
- Leaves more healthy tooth structure intact: With tooth-colored fillings, we do not have to remove as much natural tooth structure as we would with silver amalgam or gold fillings. This allows us to treat your cavity and conserve more of your natural tooth structure.
Cavity Treatment Process
Here’s what you can expect when you come for your dental fillings procedure at Mayfaire Family Dentistry:
- Local anesthetic to numb the area: We will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area to ensure you don’t feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
- Decay removal: Once the area is numb, Dr. Overton will drill out the decay from your tooth. Removing the decay keeps the bacteria from spreading. Once the decay has been removed, we will prepare the space for the tooth-colored filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris.
- Apply tooth-colored filling to the tooth: After all the decay gets removed, your tooth is ready for the filling. We will apply the tooth-colored filling in layers and use a special light to cure or harden every layer. We will then shape the filling to match your tooth’s shape, trim off any excess filling material, and polish it to make it feel and look natural. Dr. Overton will check your bite to make sure you’re comfortable with the restoration.
How Can You Prevent Cavities?
Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay. Here are some tips to help prevent cavities:
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste two times a day and for 2 minutes each time.
- Clean between your teeth every day with floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food and plaque stuck between teeth.
- Rinse your mouth using a fluoride mouth rinse.
- Limit how often you snack and sip on sugary foods and drinks.
- Visit Dr. Overton regularly for an exam and professional teeth cleaning – at least every six months.
How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
Tooth-colored fillings are highly durable and generally last for 10 to 12 years before needing to be replaced.
Dental Filling Cost
The cost of tooth-colored fillings is higher than other filling materials such as amalgam because more work goes into preparing the filling. Generally, composite fillings for one or two surfaces cost $90 to $250. However, dental insurance will cover all or a portion of this cost.
Ready for Tooth-Colored Fillings? Schedule Your Appointment Today!
At Mayfaire Family Dentistry, we’re committed to helping our patients in the Wilmington area restore their smiles. We understand that going to the dentist may not be your favorite thing to do, but we are here to make sure you have the best experience possible. Dr. Overton and our dental team are focused on providing you with the personalized care you deserve. Contact us to schedule your dental appointment!