If you’re looking for a cavity to be filled in Rocky Hill CT you’ve come to the right place. Fillings are used to restore teeth that are damaged by decay. When you receive a filling, first you will be provided anesthesia and the decayed tooth material will be removed. The affected area will be thoroughly cleaned and finally, the area will receive the filling. Closing out the spaces where bacteria can enter prevents further decay.
Dental Fillings
West Hill Family Dental Fillings
Composite Fillings
Composite tooth fillings are typically made of powdered glass and acrylic resin. They offer some advantages over amalgam fillings. The big advantage people like is the color options. The filling can be shaded to match the color of your existing teeth, making it much less visible. Composite fillings have gained popularity over the years with more and more people wanting natural-looking smiles.
Composite fillings are a good choice under most circumstances. Composite fillings are perfect for a small filling and do better for teeth that experience a moderate amount of pressure when chewing – like molars.
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings for teeth are the classic option. Dentists have been using this type of filling for more than 150 years! Amalgams are made up from a mix of different metals. They typically contain about 50 percent mercury, along with tin, copper, silver or zinc. Compared to other types of dental fillings they have some advantages to consider. They work well in a slightly moist environment, and they’re bacteriostatic (bacteria don’t like to live near them) and long-lasting.
A few drawbacks do exist with amalgam fillings. They’re silver in color and tend to become darker with time, which results in a less natural look when you open your mouth. The FDA has determined that the level of mercury in the filling is safe for people, yet some people prefer not to have fillings with this material. They also tend to break teeth over time as the size of the filling increases.
The Dental Filling Procedure
If you do have a cavity and need Dr. Hemphill to fill it for you, the procedure is very simple and comfortable. If the cavity is shallow you may not need any anesthesia. If it’s deeper you will receive local anesthesia to numb the tooth. Once you’re comfortable Dr. Hemphill will start the procedure by removing the decay with a drill.
The first type of drill Dr. Hemphill will use is a high-speed drill to remove the decay and unsupported enamel. If the decay is deep and reaches the dentin (the second layer of the tooth), he may switch out to a lower speed drill. The slow speed drill only removes unhealthy decay and leaves behind healthy tooth structure.
If Dr. Hemphill is placing a bonded filling, he will etch the tooth with a gel before placing the filling. Etching makes tiny holes in the tooth’s enamel surface which allows for better bonding. A bonding agent will be placed to allow the composite to bind to the tooth. Finally, the composite material is placed, condensed, and shaped into a tooth before being light cured to harden the material.
Composite fillings are hardened by a special light. If you receive one of these fillings, Dr. Hemphill will layer the material, stopping several times to shine a bright light on the composite during the procedure. The light cures or hardens the material and makes it strong. Finally, after Dr. Hemphill places the filling, he will adjust your bite and polish your tooth to make sure your bite feels good.
After Your Filling
You may feel sensitivity after you receive your filling. Your tooth may be sensitive to pressure, air, and cold. The most common complication after receiving a filling is not having the teeth connect properly. All teeth should touch evenly. When the don’t touch evenly you may need your filling adjusted so your bite is correct. If this is the case call the office and we’ll get you in right away and Dr. Hemphill will adjust the filling. Your tooth just had surgery and needs time to heal. If the decay was deep, you may need a few weeks for the tooth to feel normal again. If you are waking up at night with your tooth throbbing or if the tooth is sensitive to cold for longer than 30 seconds, you may need further treatment on your tooth. Call the office if this is the case so we can help address the situation.