Dental Filling Overview

So why would I ever need dental fillings?

​Dental fillings are something that can be completely avoided by flossing and brushing your teeth on a regular basis. If you floss once a day and brush twice a day then you should be fine. But occasionally bacterial byproduct can build up causing an acidic environment in the mouth. This can eat away at the enamel on your tooth. This will compromise the structure and the integrity of the tooth in question. This is a moment when you would need a possible dental filling.

​How would I know that I need a dental filling?

​Dental fillings are typically diagnosed when you come in for a regular check up. If you have a teeth cleaning with your hygienist the dentist will come in to do an exam. This exam is to check for any abnormalities in your mouth. The dentist will then probe the mouth for any weak spots of tooth decay and cavities. If the dentist finds cavities he will then look at the X-rays for the visit. If the X-ray correlates with the area of suspected tooth softening then he confirms that you indeed have a cavity. Once this is diagnosed you will need to get a dental filling.

Contact Triangle Dental Center today to learn more.

Dental fillings can be accomplished by an experienced dentist who has performed many dental fillings in his lifetime. The first step to filling placement is local anesthesia administration. The dentist will block the nerve sensations to the area of interest. This will allow the dentist to manipulate the area. The dentist will then use his drill to remove the area that has weakened in your tooth. This is called the cavity. The cavity is removed with the drill and the space is then rebuild with a material that is structurally sound.

Types of dental fillings:

​The dentist can then fill your mouth with dental fillings made out of two materials.

​Amalgam Fillings: These dental fillings are made from a metal allow that is able to successfully bond to the tooth and maintain structural integrity. This is what people typically think of when they think of metal fillings. They are an older technology and are less aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but they get the job done.

​Composite Fillings: These type of dental fillings are tooth colored fillings. They are typically what dentist use in the present day setting. At our office in Raleigh we only do composite fillings to make sure that patients get a structurally intact tooth along with the most aesthetically pleasing dental filling.

How is a filling performed

If your tooth has too much tooth decay for a filling but too little tooth decay for a full prosthetic crown then inlays and onlays can be performed to make sure that you have structural integrity to the tooth.

​Inlay/Onlay: This procedure is the result of the dentist taking an impression of your tooth using a soft material. Once the dentist makes a carbon copy of you tooth then he can make a structure to fit on top of the compromised tooth to make sure you will have a fully functioning tooth in your mouth. This is the concept of the Inlay and Onlay. The dentist will then create these using laboratory materials. Our dentists have been making inlays and onlays for years. If you need an inlay/onlay or have any questions about this procedure then call us now. (919) 804-0749

What else?