You have a cavity? Depending on the severity of the decay, a treatment plan will be discussed with you. If the tooth is still structurally sound and a filling is the best course of treatment, the decayed portion of the tooth is removed and then we “fill” it. Cracked, broken teeth and worn teeth from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding) can also be repaired by fillings.
Fillings can be constructed from gold, porcelain, silver amalgam, or glass materials called composite resin fillings.
Caring for fillings
To maintain your fillings, you should follow good oral hygiene practices – be sure to come in for regular cleanings, brush with a toothpaste containing fluoride, and floss at least once daily.
If you suspect a filling might be cracked, we can take x-rays to assess the situation. Symptoms of a cracked filling;
- your tooth is extremely sensitive,
- you feel a sharp edge,
- you notice a crack in the filling,
- a piece of the filling is missing,
Give us a call for immediate care. Acting quickly can save you pain, protect the tooth and save you the time and money of more intense treatments.