Dental Fillings
Dental fillings can be used to restore the function and appearance of damaged teeth. There are typically two types of dental fillings, composite and amalgam, which are made from materials such as plastic, porcelain, silver, and gold. The type of material that is right for you will be determined based on several factors, including any allergies you may have, the location of the filling, and cost.
At Platt Family Dentistry, we offer a wide range of services, from cosmetic to restorative dentistry. From Dayton, to across the country and internationally, we welcome all patients to experience outstanding customer service and tailored treatment plans. If you are scheduled to have dental fillings, or if you would like to ask our staff any questions about this procedure or schedule an appointment, please contact us today.
Benefits to Each Type of Filling Material
Composite or plastic resins are available in many shades to match your surrounding teeth. They are often used on smaller filling areas, as they are not as strong or durable as some other materials. This type of material is more prone to stains from dark beverages or tobacco.
Porcelain fillings, also called inlays or onlays, are also available in a variety of shades, and are easy to match with the natural color of your teeth. They are more stain resistant than composite resin and are able to cover the majority of the damaged tooth or teeth. The cost of porcelain is similar to that of gold.
Amalgam, or silver, are oftentimes more noticeable than other materials due to their darker color. However, they are very wear-resistant and inexpensive.
Gold fillings are often considered to be the most optimal material choice for fillings due to their durability. Gum tissues typically tolerate this material better than others as well. However, gold fillings are expensive and require multiple visits to your dentist’s office to complete.
The Dental Filling Process
Your dentist will need to complete an oral examination to determine if a dental filling is right for you. During this visit, your dentist will look for any abnormalities or issues with the surface of your teeth using a small mirror and other specialized instruments. In some cases, your dentist will take an X-ray of your mouth or a section of teeth to get a closer look.
If you are a good candidate for a filling, your dentist will need to remove any decay from your tooth and clean the area thoroughly. This will give your dentist room to apply the filling material. Closing off these areas also helps prevent bacteria and additional decay from developing over time.
Dental Filling Aftercare
Following your dental fillings procedure, it will not be necessary to make any significant changes to your overall dental maintenance or make any dramatic changes to your diet, but to maintain the longevity of your procedure and help assure you will not need additional oral health maintenance in the near future, it is important to practice good oral hygiene habits.
By following these best practices, you will be taking an important step to ensuring that you maintain a strong and healthy smile.
- Brush and floss at least twice daily. When you do brush your teeth, be sure to do so for at least two minutes. Many people do not spend enough time brushing, or attending to cleaning other areas of the mouth, such as the tongue. If you happen to have an aversion to flossing, talk to your dentist about flossing alternatives, such as interdental brushes or flossing picks.
- Be mindful of your diet. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, avoid eating foods high in start or drinking sugary liquids. If you do consume sugar liquids, use a straw to limit the amount of sugar that is exposed to your teeth. It is also best practice to drink water after every meal and swish water to remove deposits of food.
- Schedule visits every six months or more for those with periodontal issues. Besides practicing good oral hygiene habits and being mindful of your diet, the best thing you can do to preserve and improve your oral health is to visit your dentist or periodontist every six months. Doing so allows your dentist to perform a deep cleaning with specialty tools, monitor the status of any procedures you have had performed, and perhaps most importantly, address potential issues before they develop.
Cost of Dental Fillings
The final cost of your procedure will be determined by a variety of factors, such as the severity of your case and what type of dental plan you are currently enrolled in. Our office does accept cash, most major credit cards, money orders, and personal checks.
If you have concerns about the extent of care required and would like to discuss alternate financial arrangements, please feel free to contact our office to discuss CareCredit. CareCredit helps patients pay for procedures and treatments that are not covered by insurance by offering low minimum monthly payments and No Interest* financing so you can get what you want, when you want it. Applying for Care Credit only takes three simple steps and can provide instant approval.
If you have any additional questions regarding payments, dental insurance coverage, or available financial options, please contact our office and we will be happy to help.
For Beautiful, Healthy Smiles, Contact Us Today!
At Platinum Dentistry, we believe a healthy smile is a beautiful smile, which is why we provide an array of dental treatments to cater to health as well as aesthetics. Our practice utilizes world-class labs that create customized restorations to restore the structure and beauty of your teeth. We take the time to explain and educate our patients about the importance of health care and answer any questions you may have about treatment so you can make the best decision for your smile.
With our attention-to-detail for providing high aesthetic results to restoring the health of patients’ teeth and gums, at Platinum Dentistry you are in experienced hands. Take your first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile today and schedule an appointment by contacting our office by phone at 937.293.3402 or fill out our online form.