Dental Fillings Specialist in Stafford, TX
A dental filling is a process that is performed to fix a hole in a tooth. A dental filling is a treatment for a decayed tooth that restores its function and shape while preventing decay from occurring again. If you are suffering from severe pain in your teeth, you may have a cavity. Contact Smile Dental in Stafford, TX, and get your cavity treated with dental fillings. We are conveniently located at 738 FM 1092 Rd, Stafford, TX 77477. For more information, call us or schedule an appointment online.
Table of Contents:
Why would you need dental fillings?
How long do fillings last?
What types of fillings are there?
What are the benefits of tooth fillings?
Nearly everyone has experienced a cavity at some point throughout their life, an area of tooth decay that can lead to further complications if not treated promptly. The most common practice in the treatment of cavities is to drill it out and fill it in, also known as a dental filling. These are one of the most common procedures performed by general dentists, with millions of fillings performed every year in the US alone.
Dental fillings are performed for several reasons, including:
• Cavities — The number one reason that dentists give patients fillings are cavities. Even so, not all cavities need fillings. Sometimes very small cavities can be monitored, and if it appears to be repairing itself, a filling will not be necessary.
• Tooth Fracture — In some cases, fractured or chipped teeth can be repaired with white composite filling material, making it a much quicker and easier procedure than other reparative orthodontic treatments.
• A Slow Loss of Tooth Structure — When a tooth is fractured, a lot of tooth structure is quickly lost. There are other ways that tooth structure can be lost more gradually, such as attrition, erosion, abrasion, and abfraction. The best way to prevent this type of tooth loss is by not using teeth as tools (opening packages, bottles, etc.), avoiding acidic foods and beverages, and not grinding teeth.
• Tooth Discoloration — Covering up discolored teeth is another common reason that dentists perform fillings. Teeth can be discolored for a variety of reasons, such as dental fluorosis and staining from antibiotics.
• Replacing Old Fillings — Old fillings may need to be replaced, as over time, they can discolor and the bond can break down between the filling and the tooth. After many years of service, silver fillings may also fracture.
The length of time a filling will last depends on several factors, including:
• The type of fillings used
• Oral hygiene routine
• The area of the filling
• Lifestyle factors such as diet
Based on the aforementioned factors, the average duration of a filling is between five to 10 years, although gold fillings have been known to last much longer, between 15 to 30 years. Porcelain and composite fillings are the shortest-lasting of the different types, typically lasting around 5 to 10 years, whereas amalgam (silver) fillings last approximately 10 to 15 years.
There are four main types of fillings:
• Gold Fillings — The most expensive, but also the longest-lasting, gold fillings are typically composed of gold mixed with copper or other metals.
• Porcelain Fillings — Matching the color of the teeth, porcelain fillings are tough and durable and can last a long time on molars.
• Composite Fillings — Made of a resin—a hard polymer mixed with glass or quartz particles—composite fillings are tooth-colored, much like porcelain fillings.
• Amalgam Fillings — These silver fillings are commonly used on primary teeth as their sharp contrast makes them very noticeable on adult teeth, and therefore, undesirable by many.
Tooth fillings have many benefits, including:
• They do more than remedy cavities
• Fillings can last upwards of 15 years
• Match the aesthetics of natural teeth
• Can bolster teeth with weakened structure
• Tooth fillings can prevent infection
• Can improve tooth functionality
If you need a dental filling, come to Smile Dental today for treatment you can trust. Our dental professionals are experienced at performing dental fillings and can help you improve the health of your teeth. Call us today to schedule an appointment to meet with our dental fillings specialist, or visit our clinic in Stafford, Texas today! We serve patients from Stafford TX, Meadows Place TX, Missouri City TX, Sugar Land TX, Fifth Street TX, Dewalt TX, and Trammels TX. We look forward to serving you!
