What is a dental filling?
When your tooth is damaged or decayed, a hole will often be left behind. A tooth filling is a way to repair this damage by filling the hole left by the damage with a dental resin that matches the color of your teeth. Dr. Mays will remove the decayed part of your tooth, leaving a clean hole for the filling. Once the area is free of decay and thoroughly cleaned, Dr. Mays will fill the cavity with a filling. This helps prevent food particles and bacteria from getting stuck in the hole, which prevents further decay. Fillings are a good solution for teeth with slight decay. If a tooth has more extensive decay or damage, another method of repair will need to be used.
What types of materials are the fillings that Dr. Mays uses made of?
Dr. Mays provides only composite fillings, which are fillings that use a tooth-colored resin to fill the hole. This resin matches your teeth, so it will not be noticeable once the filling is in. Composite resins are custom-made to match the shade and shape of your teeth. These types of fillings require the same care as your normal teeth: daily brushing and flossing and regular trips to your dentist.
What is the procedure for a dental filling?
First, Dr. Mays will apply a topical anesthetic to the area to numb your tooth, gum, and cheek surrounding the affected tooth. Then, she will remove the decayed part of the tooth, which will leave a clean hole where the filling will be placed. This ensures that the tooth will not decay further after the placement of the filling. Following this, Dr. Mays will place your composite filling. To do this, she will put the softened resin into the hole, and will then shape it so it matches your natural tooth. A special blue light will be used to harden the resin, and your bite will be checked again to make sure the filling is an appropriate size and shape. Once the composite filling has hardened and has been shaped appropriately, the process is complete and you’re ready to go!
