Fillings

Anyone who has problems with their teeth will certainly need to visit our Fort Collins dentistry clinic as soon as possible. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases people will postpone their visit and make it worse for themselves. Dental fillings are one of the most common reasons people find themselves needing the services of a dentist. People with cracked teeth or bad teeth will have a plethora of choices when it comes to the type of filling they can get from our family dentistry.

But What are the Steps for Filling a Tooth?

First of all our dentists use a local anesthetic in order to numb the area which will be worked on. Next, our Fort Collins dentistry clinic will clean the decayed area. The choice of instrument will generally rely on what dental instruments our dentists are most comfortable using and of course, the client’s needs are foremost. The location and extent of the decay will also determine the method. The next step is to test or probe the area to ensure the decay has been completely removed. It could be the decayed area is close to the root and if that is the case, we will ensure the nerve is protected during the process. After the filling is finished we polish the surface. When a filling is placed in the tooth our Fort Collins family dentistry clinic may also use a UV light which makes the material harder faster. After the multi-layering process is completed, we can begin shaping the tooth filling.

Types of Filling Materials Available:

First of all, people can choose from a variety of materials for fillings. There are a number choices available. Should you decide to go with gold, the main advantage will be the durability which can range between ten and fifteen years, aesthetics (superior to those of silver), and strength. The downside is that gold is expensive, it requires a minimum of 2 office visits, and due to its color, it may not be pleasing to the eye. Amalgams are a good choice for people who want less expensive dental fillings. These are durable, can withstand chewing forces and again they are less expensive compared to composite fillings. Yet as with gold, the drawbacks can be poor aesthetics, discoloration, and the destruction of tooth structure. Oftentimes a portion of the tooth will have to be removed in our Fort Collins family dentistry clinic to accommodate the filling. Tooth-colored composite fillings have the advantage of aesthetics, they don’t require a big part of the tooth structure to be removed, are versatile, and they also bond chemically to the tooth. In addition, whether you use teeth whitening or not, the color can be matched perfectly. Unfortunately, composites are not that durable (lasting around five years). Plus, they can chip and are twice as expensive as amalgams. Ceramic is a good option for many people though because it resembles the natural color of teeth and such dental fillings can last up to fifteen years. Their cost though is close to that of a gold filling, which is quite high. There are many types of dental fillings people can go with and it all depends on your budget and personal preference. Our local dentistry staff at Shore’s Family Dentistry will be more than happy to answer all of your dental filling questions. Contact us today with any questions about cavity fillings or to make an appointment with one of our dentists in Fort Collins.