Tooth Fillings

For minor tooth damage, composite tooth fillings are an excellent way to treat infected teeth without compromising the appearance of your smile.

Tooth Fillings. Tooth fillings have long been the solution for cavities and other minor tooth damage. But in the past, getting tooth fillings meant getting a shiny gold or silver cap over the infected tooth. Now, we have the ability to provide tooth fillings that are nearly invisible and help damaged teeth stay intact.

For natural-looking tooth fillings, you need a skilled dentist you can trust. At Plaza Dental Center, our mission is to provide quality dental care to all residents in the Greater St. Louis area. Our highly accomplished dental staff is ready to serve you for your tooth filling needs. Call us at 314-361-1818 today to become a Plaza Dental Center patient today.

Types of Tooth Fillings

In the past, the only option for a patient with a cavity was to get a glaringly obvious metal filling or remove the tooth. Advances in modern dentistry have transformed both the physical and cosmetic aspects of cavities and other dental treatments. There are pros and cons to each type of filling material.

Metal Filling Materials

The original metal tooth fillings were traditionally made from either cast gold, silver, or a silver amalgam. Though these metal fillings are not in style and create an appearance that some consider undesirable, there are some notable pros to gold and amalgam fillings. They are incredibly strong and durable, and especially amalgam fillings are the least expensive option.

On the other hand, some of their qualities make these kinds of fillings less-than-desirable. The most obvious con of gold and silver fillings is the appearance; they look far from natural and draw attention. In order to apply them to affected teeth, the dentist is forced to remove a large portion of the tooth, including healthy parts. The metal itself can fade and discolor over time and they are at risk for cracking and fracturing in the presence of hot and cold temperatures. Perhaps most troubling, metal can heat and cool quickly, causing sensitivity, and the metal can even enter the bloodstream over time, running the risk of neurotoxicity.

Tooth-Colored Filling Materials

Modern dentistry provides multiple natural-looking options for tooth repair and fillings. For tooth-colored fillings, we most often turn to a composite resin material. Another popular material we use in our dental work is porcelain. These modern tooth-colored materials have several benefits compared to metal and amalgam fillings.

• They are aesthetically more pleasing. Due to their natural appearance and malleability, they can easily be made to blend in with the rest of the teeth, making them almost impossible to detect.
• Because the resin chemically bonds to the existing tooth, it helps make the tooth stronger.
• Often, less of the existing tooth must be removed in order to apply a composite filling.
• There is less sensitivity to temperature.
• Because they are less sensitive to temperature changes, there is no risk of cracking and chipping caused by expanding and contracting.
• The materials are safe and contain no neurotoxic metals.

Natural-looking composite tooth fillings cost more than silver amalgam fillings but less than gold fillings. Due to the extensive list of benefits associated with the material, they are the preferred choice for nearly all patients. The dentists at Plaza Dental Center are skilled in applying composite tooth fillings and can help you retain your naturally beautiful smile while treating your cavities in a simple procedure.

Tooth Fillings Procedure

Tooth fillings are the accepted practice for treating damage such as cavities or cracks. For larger areas of damage or more extensive damage, other restorative and cosmetic dental procedures may be more appropriate.

If you experience tooth pain, trauma to a tooth, or otherwise suspect that your tooth is damaged, the first step is to visit your dentist so they can evaluate your condition.

Should your dentist conclude that tooth fillings are the appropriate course of treatment for your tooth or teeth, you will then undergo a brief dental filling procedure. Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area while they operate. They will then use a hand tool to remove any damaged parts of the tooth and clean the site.

Next, for composite fillings they will prepare the tooth by creating tiny holes in the enamel that allow the composite to bond to the tooth more firmly. The resin is added to the area in layers until the desired size and shape are achieved. After that, the material is hardened with the use of a laser. Finally, your dentist will add the finishing touches by buffing and polishing the resin as necessary. You are left with tooth fillings that look almost identical to a natural tooth!

Get Tooth Fillings | Plaza Dental Center

Tooth fillings are a simple, affordable, and reliable way to treat cavities and other minor tooth damage. Composite resin tooth fillings allow us to provide fillings that blend in seamlessly with your naturally beautiful smile. For the best natural-looking tooth fillings, see the reputable dentists of Plaza Dental Center.

Get the quality tooth fillings you need from Plaza Dental Center today. Learn more about our complete dental services or schedule the tooth filling or other dental care you need today by requesting an appointment online or calling us at 314-361-1818 now.