Dental Filling Options
When you have cavities or some degree of tooth decay, it’s important that you meet with a skilled Miami cosmetic dentist as soon as possible. Getting the dental treatment you need sooner rather than later means that you can prevent more serious dental problems from occurring in the long run, such as severe tooth decay and tooth loss.
Which dental restoration will be best for me?
When you meet with Dr. Gloria Ospina, she will perform a comprehensive examination of your teeth to figure out how to best meet your dental health needs as well as your aesthetic needs. A single treatment or a combination of treatments may be necessary to make sure you are best served. Whatever the case, we will have the solution you need here at our Coral Gables cosmetic dentistry practice. Let’s take a look at the options for dental fillings as well as other dental restorations you should be aware of.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are one of the more common dental care treatments that many dentists perform. The filling is used to restore tooth structure and prevent the spread of tooth decay. During the dental filling procedure, the tooth is first cleaned and then prepared to receive the filling. This preparation will involve the removal of decayed or damaged tooth structure. The filling is then placed into the tooth and allowed to set properly. Once completed, the tooth will be cavity free and strong.
There are two kinds of dental fillings out there: metal fillings and tooth-colored dental fillings. At Gables Perfect Smile, we feel that patients are better served by the tooth-colored fillings, so we use those.
Benefits of Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
There are many benefits to tooth-colored fillings. For one, since they are the same color as your natural teeth, they will blend in seamlessly with your smile. From a dental health perspective, tooth-colored fillings will require less removal of tooth structure to place. They also will not be affected by major fluctuations in temperature like metal fillings can be. Most importantly, though, the tooth-colored fillings are made from safe ceramic materials and do not contain mercury or other potentially harmful substances like metal fillings.
What if I have severe tooth decay?
For severe tooth decay, dental fillings just won’t cut it, so we’ll use dental crowns and other restorative dentistry options instead. Dental crowns are made to fit over a severely damaged or decayed tooth. Inlays and onlays are another possibility, which are similar to dental fillings but at designed to restore a larger surface area.
What about chips and cracks?
Chips and cracks on a tooth can be a major problem if not treated properly. For minor chips and cracks, there is dental bonding and Miami porcelain veneers. If the chipping or cracking of a tooth is especially serious, then the use of dental crowns and the other previously mentioned restorative dentistry procedures would be best.
Learn More About Effective Dental Care Treatments
For more information about dental fillings and other effective dental restorations, be sure to contact our Coral Gables cosmetic dentistry practice today.
