Tooth fillings (also called restorations) are a treatment for cavities and chipped teeth. If you feel like you have a cavity, it’s a good idea to make a dental appointment to have your teeth checked and discuss your options.
What is a cavity?
The words “cavity” refers to tooth decay. You get cavities when harmful bacteria make an acid that decays the tooth structure. Cavities might show up as a dark spot or a bright white spot, but not always. A cavity might create a hole in a tooth, but not always. When cavities are hidden between the teeth, we can only see them on x-rays. If a small cavity is ignored, it can grow into a larger cavity and cause problems like pain, infection, tooth breakage, and tooth loss.
What happens during a filling?
First, the dentist numbs your mouth and removes the decayed part of the tooth. Then the dentist places a filling material to replace the damaged part of the tooth. After this, the filling is shaped and smoothed.
What color is the filling?
We mainly use white tooth-colored (white) filling materials. Our filling materials come in different shades, and we choose the shade that best matches your tooth. We offer two different tooth-colored filling materials: composite resin and glass ionomer. Feel free to ask your dentist which filling material is best for you.
