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Fillings

Advantage Dental Care -  - General Dentistry

Advantage Dental Care

General Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Springfield, VA

Left untreated, tooth decay leads to permanent damage to your tooth, gum disease, and tooth loss. Advantage Dental Care in Springfield, Virginia, provides fillings, general dentistry, restorative services, and cosmetic dentistry solutions to protect damaged teeth. To find out if you need fillings or other services, use the online scheduling tool or call Advantage Dental Care today.

Fillings Q & A

What are dental fillings?

When a tooth is damaged with decay or a cavity, fillings are needed to protect the tooth against future damage. Without fillings, cavities get larger and lead to gum disease, toothaches, and, eventually, loss of teeth. Dental fillings protect your teeth while restoring the shape, strength, and appearance of your natural teeth.

What are dental fillings made of?

Dental filling materials may include composite resin, porcelain, gold, or amalgam. The type of filling is chosen based on the extent of damage to your teeth, and the most common dental filling material is composite resin. The color of composite resin fillings are matched to your natural teeth color and are ideal for front teeth.

What should I expect during a dental filling procedure?

If your dentist at Advantage Dental Care discovers you need fillings to restore your teeth, the treatment area is numbed to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Once numb, your dentist removes tooth decay from the damaged tooth with a drill and other dental tools. 

After preparing the tooth, the dental filling material is placed in the hole to prevent future decay. A special light hardens it to match the strength of your natural teeth. Finally, the filling material is trimmed and polished to match the original shape of your tooth.

For tooth damage too large for fillings, Advantage Dental Care suggests other restoration options, including crowns, implants, or bridges.

How do I care for dental fillings?

If you chew hard objects like pen caps or even hard foods, your dental fillings can chip or crack. Dental fillings can also come out if you consume chewy foods.

You can extend the life of your dental fillings with good oral hygiene practices, including brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing. Maintaining good hygiene is also the best way to prevent needing additional dental fillings in the future. Schedule professional cleanings and dental exams at Advantage Dental Care twice per year to ensure optimal oral health.

If you think you need dental fillings, call Advantage Dental Care or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment today.