Life happens, and cavities will be a part of most of our lives at one point or another. Dental fillings can be one of the best ways to repair, restore, and protect your tooth if you have tooth decay or damage.
Stay Aware!
The first habit to establish is to go and visit your dentist regularly. Once every six months is usually a good rule of thumb. Visiting a dental professional frequently allows you to monitor your teeth and ensure you’re not experiencing tooth decay.
Repair Your Teeth and Protect Them!
Getting a cavity filled is a great way to stay on top of your dental care.
Filling procedures will vary depending on whether your cavity is small, mid-size, or large. When we discover a cavity or tooth decay is identified, you can schedule an appointment to get a filling. You can choose a filling you would like, and our team will fill the affected area to improve the tooth structure and prevent further decay and damage.
Step 1: Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
The first step in dental filling involves diagnosis and treatment planning. Your dentist will examine your mouth to determine the size and location of the cavity. They may also use an X-ray to gain a better understanding of the extent of the decay. Once they have diagnosed the cavity, they will explain the treatment plan. This is an excellent time to ask questions or raise concerns about the procedure.
Step 2: Numbing the Affected Tooth
After the diagnosis and treatment plan, your dentist will numb your tooth to minimize pain and discomfort. They will administer a local anesthetic near the tooth to numb the area before filling. You may feel some pressure or a slight pinch, but the discomfort is minimal.
Step 3: Removing the Decay
Once the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth using a drill or laser. They will remove the entire decayed part before proceeding with the filling process. They will then clean the tooth to ensure no bacteria or debris is left behind.
Step 4: Filling the Tooth
The dentist will then fill the tooth with the chosen filling material. This can be composite resin, porcelain, gold, or silver amalgam. Composite resin is the most common filling material as it blends in with your natural tooth color and is aesthetically pleasing. The filling material is packed into the cavity and smoothed to ensure no sharp edges are left behind.
Step 5: Finishing and Polishing
The final step involves finishing and polishing the tooth. After filling the tooth, the dentist will trim any excess filling material and polish the tooth to blend in with the surrounding teeth. This step ensures no rough edges are left behind and that the filling matches the color of your other teeth.
Types of Filling Materials
There are many different kinds of filling materials out there. The materials include tooth-colored composite resin fillings, composite material, gold fillings, glass ionomer, gold, silver, and tooth-colored fillings. They vary in appearance, price, and durability. You can choose what best suits your specific lifestyle and dental goals. Talking to your dentist about this will help you better determine which filling is for you.
Dental Fillings in San Francisco, CA
Dental fillings can solve tooth decay and damage that is a part of many of our lives. Dental fillings are standard dental procedures that many people undergo to treat cavities and protect their teeth from further damage. Whether you have a small cavity or a larger one, dental fillings can help prevent future dental problems and maintain the health of your teeth.
At Yerba Buena Dentistry, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive range of dental services to keep our patients healthy and happy. Whether you need preventative dentistry in San Francisco, CA, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, or a simple dental filling, we’ve got you covered. Our team of skilled professionals will provide personalized, high-quality treatment to every patient who walks through our doors. We’re committed to improving your oral health and enhancing your smile. We even have an in-office membership plan to help patients save on dental costs.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jiahua Zhu, or Dr.Haneul Shin. Trust us to care for all your dental needs.
