Then, that area will be filled with the material chosen, like porcelain, to restore the tooth’s structure and fill in any holes or gaps. To put in a filling, dentists will first administer anesthetic to the area, remove any old tooth decay with a drill or laser, and then clean the area. If teeth are severely broken down, we may recommend tooth crowns or bridges, instead. A patient will come in and we will provide a consultation, and determine if fillings are the best option. What is involved in getting dental fillings?ĭental fillings are usually done in one appointment. Silver fillings were found to contain high levels of mercury, which was released into the mouth, and could cause possible harm to a patient’s health, such as “brain damage and neurological problems, especially for children and the unborn babies of pregnant women,” according to. Not only do these fillings look natural, with no one being able to tell that your teeth have been altered in any way, porcelain does not contain toxic ingredients. Today, we recommend porcelain fillings above any other at our Santa Monica dentist office.

A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth.

They can be matched to the color of the tooth and resist staining. Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a lab and then bonded to the tooth.They can also become stained from coffee, tea or tobacco, and do not last as long as other types of fillings generally from three to 10 years. Composites may not be the ideal material for large fillings as they may chip or wear over time. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the cavity, where they harden. Composite (plastic) resins are matched to be the same color as your teeth and therefore used where a natural appearance is desired.However, due to their dark color, they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not usually used in very visible areas, such as front teeth. Amalgam (silver) fillings are resistant to wear and relatively inexpensive.However, it is often the most expensive choice and requires multiple visits.

For these reasons, many authorities consider gold the best filling material. Gold inlays are well tolerated by gum tissues, and may last more than 20 years.

Gold fillings are made to order in a laboratory and then cemented into place.

There are various types of dental fillings on the market today. A dental filling, or tooth filling, is a restorative material that a dentist places on your tooth to replace some of the tooth’s missing structure. If you have cavities in your teeth, or your teeth are chipped, broken or worn down, our office can put in f illings to fix your teeth. With advances in medicine, there are different options, from old-fashioned gold and amalgam fillings, to modern and natural looking porcelain and composite fillings. At these appointments, we spend time with our patients to explain the different types of fillings available today. When patients come to our office for help with tooth decay, one of the most common procedures our Santa Monica dentist does is placing or replacing dental fillings.

Dr susan hale santa monica