Dental Fillings

Is your smile allowing you to make that great first impression? Are you experiencing oral health problems that are causing you discomfort or pain, but you’ve been avoiding making a phone call to see your dentist? If you have a cavity, then you should know that time is of the essence, as putting off scheduling an appointment with a dentist can further exacerbate the problem and significantly impact to your overall health. Below you’ll find information about fillings and the process that is involved when filling a tooth, as well as an explanation for why its so vital to see your dentist as soon as possible if you are suffering from tooth decay.

What is are dental fillings and what dental issues can it treat?

Dental fillings repair teeth with cavities and replace old, defective fillings. They are also used to repair chipped, broken or discolored teeth and fill in gaps. Composite (white) fillings are now widely used due to their natural appearance and strength. A filling can be made out of a number of different materials, including gold, ceramic and porcelain. A filling is typically used when a tooth is decaying or when a tooth has been worn down over time or cracked. Fillings are an extremely common dental treatment, wherein the decayed section of the tooth is removed and filling is put in its place. Usually the dental fillings treatment can be carried out in just one office visit. However, if your dentist discovers that it may take more than one visit to treat the dental issue, then they may choose to use a temporary filling until the permanent filling can be put into place.

How is a tooth filled?

The dentist will perform an examination before filling the tooth. Next, he will utilize a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth, as well as the tooth itself. He will then use special dental instruments to remove any decayed tooth matter, before assessing the tooth again to ensure that all unhealthy matter and bacteria has been removed. Dr. Picard can then fill the cavity with the material that is best for your particular needs, before polishing the tooth to make certain that any rough edges have been removed.

How to properly care for dental fillings.

To ensure that your dental fillings are not prematurely loosened, it’s recommended that you visit your dentist regularly and make proper oral hygiene at home a top priority. You should floss daily and use toothpaste that includes fluoride, so that you can help to  prevent any further cavities and to keep the compromised tooth from from sustaining further damage. If you find that your filling has loosened or has cracked, scheduling an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible is imperative, in order to prevent further tooth decay.

Call 310-479-4500 or email our West Los Angeles dental office to schedule your first appointment with Dr. Larry Picard DDS. He and his friendly, trained staff can help you to get that brilliant, healthy smile that you’ve been waiting for.