Dental Fillings

Repairing a Tooth After Decay

Finding out you have a cavity is never welcome news, but treating decay while it is still relatively small can help prevent it from progressing and causing more significant damage to your tooth. A dental filling allows us to remove the decayed portion of the tooth and restore the area so you can continue to bite, chew, and smile comfortably.

At Foley Family Dentistry, we use tooth-colored composite fillings that can be carefully matched to your natural tooth color. Our focus is not simply on filling a cavity. We want to restore the health and function of your tooth while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

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What Is a Composite Filling?

Composite is a tooth-colored restorative material made from a blend of resin and finely ground glass or ceramic particles. It can be matched to the shade of your tooth, allowing the finished restoration to blend naturally with the surrounding enamel.

Because composite bonds directly to tooth structure, it can often be placed with a conservative approach that allows us to retain more of the healthy portion of the tooth.

Composite fillings can be used on both front and back teeth, depending on the size and location of the cavity and the forces placed on the tooth when you bite and chew.

Why Might You Need a Filling?

A filling is most commonly used to repair a cavity caused by tooth decay. Cavities develop when acids produced by bacteria gradually damage tooth enamel. Once a cavity has formed, the damaged tooth structure cannot repair itself, and treatment is necessary to prevent the decay from continuing to spread.

You may not always know that you have a cavity. Some cause sensitivity, discomfort, or a visible change in the tooth, while others produce no noticeable symptoms at all. Regular dental examinations and appropriate X-rays help us identify decay that might otherwise go unnoticed.

If we find a cavity, we will show or explain what we see and talk with you about the treatment we recommend.

Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Composite fillings offer several advantages, including:

  • A natural appearance that blends with your surrounding teeth
  • The ability to match the material to your tooth color
  • Strong bonding to the remaining tooth structure
  • A conservative approach that can help preserve healthy enamel
  • Versatility for restoring teeth in different areas of the smile

Although appearance is an important benefit, our first priority is always restoring the health, strength, and function of your tooth.

What Happens When You Get a Filling?

Before beginning treatment, we will make sure you are comfortable and numb the area when necessary. The decayed portion of the tooth is carefully removed, and the remaining tooth is prepared for the filling.

The composite material is then placed and shaped to rebuild the missing portion of the tooth. It may be applied in layers and hardened with a special curing light. Once the filling is in place, we shape and polish it and carefully check your bite.

Our goal is for your restored tooth to look natural and feel comfortable when you bite and chew.

How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?

Composite fillings are durable, but no dental restoration lasts forever. How long a filling lasts can depend on its size and location, your bite, oral hygiene, diet, habits such as grinding or clenching, and the amount of natural tooth structure that remains.

During your regular dental checkups, we will examine your existing fillings for signs of wear, cracks, leakage, or other changes. If we notice a concern, we can discuss it with you before deciding whether the restoration needs attention.

When Is a Filling Not Enough?

Fillings work well when there is enough healthy tooth structure remaining to support the restoration. If a tooth has extensive decay, a large fracture, or significant structural damage, a filling may not provide enough strength or protection.

In those situations, we may recommend another type of restoration, such as a dental crown. If the inner pulp of the tooth has become infected or severely inflamed, root canal treatment may also be necessary.

We will evaluate the individual tooth and explain your options so you understand why we are recommending a particular treatment.

Protecting Your Tooth After a Filling

You can care for a tooth with a composite filling much like your natural teeth. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and keep up with your recommended dental checkups and cleanings.

If a restored tooth begins to feel sensitive, painful, or different when you bite, or if you think a filling has chipped or come loose, let us know. We can examine the tooth and determine what is happening.

Restore Your Tooth and Protect Your Smile

Treating a cavity is about more than repairing a small spot in a tooth. Timely treatment can help stop decay from progressing, preserve healthy tooth structure, and reduce the likelihood that the tooth will require more extensive care later.

Call for more information or to schedule an appointment with Foley Family Dentistry in Foley, AL.

Call (251) 257-7009