Dental Fillings in Connecticut
If you have had a dental cavity, you’ve probably had a filling. Fillings are used after the cavity is drilled away, and they are placed into the hole to protect your teeth.
If you have a cavity or need a filling, our team is here to help!
What is a dental filling?
A dental filling is the most common type of tooth repair for treating decayed teeth. It’s used to fill cavities and protect teeth from further decay. A filling can be made out of composite resin (white), porcelain, gold, silver amalgam (a mixture of mercury and other metals), or some combination of these materials.
Types of Dental Fillings
There are four types of fillings used in modern dentistry today.
Ceramic
Ceramic fillings are made using porcelain and are a great option for many patients due to their aesthetic appeal. They blend in and look natural with your teeth and are stain-resistant. They are very durable but are typically only used on larger cavities.
Tooth-Colored Composite Resin
Tooth-colored resin is a material that can be shade-matched to the color of your natural tooth structure. Composite fillings are ideal because they easily blend in with your teeth and do not stand out like other filling materials. Tooth-colored fillings can be more expensive than other options and not as durable as metal filling materials.
Silver Amalgam
Silver amalgam fillings were the most popular filling material used for a long time but are rarely used anymore. Silver fillings are not as visually appealing. They are very durable and are less expensive than other materials.
Who needs a tooth filling?
If you have a cavity, it’s recommended that you get a filling done right away. If you wait too long, the cavity will continue to grow and could eventually cause discomfort and require more extensive treatment.
You should also consider getting a filling if you have any of the following conditions:
- You have a previous filling that has chipped or broken
- You have a cracked or broken tooth
- The surface of your tooth is uneven
- Your tooth has been exposed to trauma
The Filling Procedure
After cleaning your teeth thoroughly, we will prepare the area where the filling will be placed. We may use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar build-up. Then, we will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area. Next, we will use a dental drill to remove the decay and place the filling material in the hole. To finish, we will polish the tooth to make sure the filling is smooth and feels like your natural bite.
Dental Filling FAQs
Cost varies depending on what kind of filling you get and how big the cavity is. The average price for a filling is $150-$300,
Cavities can occur in the pits and fissures of the chewing surface, the surface of the tooth roots, or on the smooth surface on the exterior of the tooth. More times than not, these can be treated with fillings, but if a tooth root cavity spreads into the tooth pulp, a root canal will be needed. Or if a cavity becomes larger and the remaining tooth structure is too weak, a root canal or crown will be needed.
A filling’s primary role is to restore a tooth damaged by decay and is usually stronger than bonding materials. Bonding is mainly used to repair the appearance of damaged teeth but can also be used to protect them.
Restore Your Oral Health with Dental Fillings
Fillings are one of the best ways to restore your teeth when damaged by tooth decay. Our dental team will be happy to discuss all of your options and help determine which type of filling would work best for you.
Contact our dental office today to schedule a consultation to get started on restoring your smile.
