Dental Fillings St. Albert

What are Dental Fillings

Fillings, also known as restorations, are a dental procedure used to replace tooth structure that is decayed, as well as repair fractured, broken, or severely worn teeth. Caries, or cavities, can be detected through direct observation or x-rays. dental team for a positive experience.

Modern Materials for Fillings

Modern dentistry has allowed for the combination of both beauty and strength when filling teeth, using composite resins and other modern materials that closely mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. This creates a restoration that is nearly indiscernible from the original tooth's strength and appearance, with patient comfort being the main priority of the dental team for a positive experience.

Tooth-Colored Composite Restorations

Modern tooth fillings are mercury-free and made of composite materials that closely match the colour of your natural teeth:

• Fillings can be bonded directly to your enamel
• Require less tooth preparation
• Smaller in size compared to traditional metal fillings.
• Blend seamlessly with your tooth enamel

Procedure for Filling a Tooth

The procedure for composite fillings begins with cavity preparation, where the dentist removes any remaining decay and shapes the final cavity. Next, composite-resin filling material is added and cured (hardened) with a curing light. The final step is polishing the filling to match the natural shape of the tooth. Composite fillings are a popular choice for their aesthetic appeal, as they are available in natural shades that match tooth color and are well-tolerated by patients.

Inlay and Onlay Restorations

In some cases, when a cavity preparation is too large for a typical filling, the dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay (partial crown) as a restoration option. These restorations are designed to replace more tooth structure than a normal filling and are made in a dental laboratory after the dentist takes an impression of the preparation. The final placement of the inlay or onlay will be made during a second visit at the dental office.

Maintaining Fillings with Regular Check-ups

Since fillings do not last forever, it is crucial that you come in for routine checkups on a regular basis. Fillings can develop cracks or simply wear down due to chewing forces. During routine checkups, the dentist checks the integrity of your fillings and will advise replacement if an issue is found.

If you are looking for an experienced dentists in St. Albert for fillings procedures, please give Family Dental a call at (780) 458-1991 to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists.