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Dental Fillings An Overview

Dental Fillings in Annapolis Maryland

As we age, our teeth can lose enamel and become chipped, cracked and damaged over time. This will eventually compromise the integrity of tooth structure, leaving them more vulnerable to breaking or requiring extraction to protect overall oral health.

Modern dentistry, and the wide variety of dental procedures available today, can support long term dental health by strengthening teeth and restoring your bite.

Annapolis dentists Lee, Bonfiglio, Vesely & Associates has the education and expertise, gained through experience, to offer their patients a plan of treatment designed to maintain the natural teeth and enhance a patient’s smile.

Porcelain veneers, dental crowns, tooth bonding and cosmetic fillings are some of the options that can not only improve the appearance of a patient’s smile, but also support long term dental health.

We offer a variety of tooth fillings in our Annapolis dental office including porcelain inlays/onlays and white resin dental fillings. Tooth colored restorations help to protect teeth while maintaining natural beauty.

What’s the Best Tooth Filling For Me?

There are basically three types of dental fillings: bonded white resin fillings, porcelain inlays and onlays, and cast-gold fillings. Your dentist will evaluate your condition and help you choose which is best for you. A filling should remain in place for many years, protecting your teeth without you ever noticing it’s there.

Composite Resin Filling

Composite resin fillings are more aesthetically pleasing since they are tooth colored and will blend in with your surrounding natural teeth. In most cases, very little tooth structure needs to be removed to install a composite resin filling which means there will be less drilling and more of the tooth will be preserved.

Though they are not as long-lasting as other types of fillings, composite fillings will last many years or more with proper care and maintenance.

Porcelain Inlays & Onlays

This type of tooth filling is used to restore a tooth with more advanced tooth decay. If large areas of the tooth have been damaged by decay, or if the decay is in a deep crevice of a tooth, and inlay or onlay is a more conservative treatment than a tooth extraction. This type of restoration is like creating the missing puzzle piece from the damaged tooth.

The porcelain material used is extremely durable. When properly fit, placed, and cared for, a porcelain inlay or onlay can last for decades.

Gold Fillings

A gold filling can last 15-30 years and will not corrode. While gold fillings are often the most expensive choice, many consider it the best filling material. Gold inlays are well-tolerated by gum tissues and do not cause damage to the surrounding teeth.

Dental fillings can be used to:

Repair damage caused by tooth decay
Replace tooth structure that has chipped or broken off
Improve the appearance of a defect on the surface of a tooth

Dental Fillings What to Expect

For white dental fillings, the dentist will lightly abrade the tooth’s surface and smooth off any rough edges. Next, a bio-compatible resin will be applied to the tooth and sculpted into form. A special light is used to harden the resin. A white filling can usually be complete in a single visit.

For gold fillings or porcelain inlays/onlays, the tooth will also be prepared and an impression will be made. The restoration will be fabricated on-site in our dental laboratory. Once it’s complete, it will be placed on the tooth and bonded into place.

Dental Fillings FAQs

How long should dental fillings last?: It will depend on the location of the filling, the size, and whether or not your practice good dental hygiene, but most fillings will last anywhere from 7-20 years depending on those variables.
Can I brush my teeth after a dental filling?: It’s perfectly fine to brush your teeth after getting a filling, although it should be noted that for some time after the procedure, you should be careful not to brush the filled tooth with as much force as you do your other teeth.
Are tooth colored fillings better?: Becuase tooth colored fillings bond to the tooth itself, they can be used to repair damaged, broken and chipped teeth. On the other hand, they can wear out much faster than other filling materials. It depends on your needs and wants going into the procedure.
What not to do after getting dental fillings?: Following a dental filling, you might wish to avoid meals and beverages that are hot or cold for a few days. For up to two weeks, foods that are sticky, firm, or chewy should also be avoided. Anything that will make you take big pieces and chew for a long time, like meat, is probably off-limits until you fully adjust to your filling.
What do I need to know before getting a filling?: You won’t need to do anything to be ready for your visit. You don’t need to fast because the process is non-invasive. Brush your teeth as you normally would. Also we recommend trying to book your filling appointment for the morning if you anticipate experiencing anxiety.
Do fillings hurt the next day?: Following a filling, it’s not uncommon for you to experience some discomfort or sensitivity in the affected tooth. Any discomfort should typically go away in a day or two.
How many times can a filling be replaced?: The maximum number of times a filling can be changed is undefined. Once the hole is too big, we usually cease replacing the tooth filling. Your tooth loses strength whenever there is more filling material than natural tooth substance.
Can a filling get infected?: Infection and damage provide the two main concerns related to getting fillings. When you receive a filling, it can occasionally move away from the tooth and leave a tiny gap. Bacteria may enter this area and contribute to further tooth damage and inflammation. This is not very common, but is possible.

Dental Fillings Annapolis, MD

Dental Fillings An Overview

What’s the Best Tooth Filling For Me?

Dental Fillings What to Expect

Dental Fillings FAQs