Are you in need of dental fillings but aren't sure how they work? Here's everything you need to know about the types of fillings and how they are done.

Did you know that 90% of people by the age of 20 have had at least one cavity at some point in their lives? Cavities are very common dental problems and, if left untreated, they can be a real pain to deal with. Removing the cavity and filling it with dental fillings is the only real solution.

But what should you expect if you've never gotten dental fillings from your dentist in Corning NY before? Keep reading and learn more about the different types of dental fillings and what to expect from the dental filling procedure.

What to Expect from the Dental Filling Procedure

Cavities happen when you don't brush your teeth on a regular basis after eating. Certain strains of bacteria in your mouth will produce acid after consuming the food particles stuck to your teeth. This acid is not harsh enough to cause you any pain, but it won't waste any time stripping down your tooth enamel.

Over time, your teeth will start to decay and cavities will form. Cavities start out as small white dots on the surface of your teeth. Because they blend in so easily with the rest of your tooth enamel, they can be hard to spot.

They only become more noticeable as they progress and turn into holes. At that point, the cavity will get worse until it reaches the center of your tooth where it will become painful. As soon as you notice that you have a cavity or start feeling pain in one of your teeth, you should go to your local dentist and get the problem checked out.

Many people think that filling a cavity is a very painful procedure, but it is actually quite painless and fast. To make sure you don't feel any pain, your dentist will provide you with a local anesthetic. This will make the treatment area entirely numb, although you may feel some pressure when the dentist works on your tooth.

What You Need to Know

The main way to remove a cavity is with a drill. Your dentist will use this drill to remove any decayed tooth enamel. This is important because if decayed tooth enamel stays put, it will only continue to get worse.

Once your dentist drills out the cavity, there will be a clean hole in your tooth. Of course, leaving a hole in your tooth would make your tooth very sensitive and it would be prone to more dental problems. To fix this issue, your dentist will fill the hole with a dental filling.

What is a dental filling exactly, you might ask? It is nothing more than a protective substance that will harden once placed into the hole in your tooth.

Dental fillings are important because they will restore the function of your tooth and will protect it. There are many dental fillings to choose from such as composite resin, porcelain, and more.

But is there really any difference between these dental fillings?

What You Need to Know About the Different Types of Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are one of the most common dental services around, but how can you know if you're choosing the right dental fillings for your teeth? To start, you should know that porcelain dental fillings are some of the most common fillings around. Why might this be, you ask?

Porcelain fillings can match the color of your tooth enamel perfectly. Your dentist will choose between several different shades of porcelain to ensure that the filling matches your teeth as closely as possible. This is especially important if you have cavities in your front teeth.

If you get fillings that don't match the color of your teeth, they will be very noticeable. Besides looking very realistic and being very unnoticeable, porcelain fillings are famous for being one of the strongest fillings around. For that reason, you won't have to worry about the filling cracking after a few years and needing to get it replaced.

Of course, this doesn't mean that porcelain fillings are invincible. You should avoid chewing on hard substances such as ice or peanuts which can cause any filling to crack. The only downside of porcelain fillings is the cost.

These fillings tend to be much more expensive compared to other types. For that reason, porcelain fillings may not be the right choice for everyone.

The Details

If you're looking for an alternative to porcelain, then composite resin fillings might be the perfect solution for you.

Composite resin fillings look much like porcelain and do a good job of matching tooth enamel. This is not to mention that composite resin is much more affordable. This is important to know if you need to get several cavities filled at once.

The downside with composite resin fillings is that they are not as durable as porcelain. For that reason, you'll have to be more careful when chewing tough foods or the composite resin might crack. As a result, you'll have to replace these particular fillings more often.

You can also get metal fillings made of silver or gold. However, many people don't like these fillings because they are so noticeable.

Even so, these fillings are very durable and they are not likely to crack even after many years of having them.

Everything You Need to Know About Dental Fillings

Getting dental fillings from your local dentist in Corning NY is nothing to be afraid of. The procedure is quite fast and painless and it is important for keeping your teeth healthy. There are also many types of dental fillings to choose from including porcelain and composite resin.

To learn more, don't hesitate to contact us here.

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