The Procedure:

A common question from those who have never had this type of procedure is "What happens at the appointment when I have my cavity filled?" You can expect the Absolute Dental dentist to numb the area around the decayed or cracked tooth. After a few minutes you will not feel any pain and the dentist can begin to work. First the dentist must remove the decaying material from the tooth. This stops the cavity from further decay after the dental fillings are in place, and it is necessary to complete this process before sealing up the area. The dentist will assess how much tooth to remove in order to stop the decay. If the decay is close to the root the dentist may apply a composite resin to protect the nerve. Once the filling material is in place a light is used to harden the filling, creating a permenant sealing. The dentist will then smooth and contour the area.

Types of Fillings:

• Composite (white) fillings: Also referred to as resin fillings, they are a moderate cost, tooth-colored composite of glass or quartz in a resin. Their advantages include good durability, resistance to fracture and ability to withstand moderate chewing. Because of their bonding property and the small area of tooth structure removed, they result in smaller fillings and more conservative repair to the tooth.

• Porcelain (ceramic) fillings: This class of fillings include porcelain, ceramic or glass-like fillings. Porcelain fillings may require more than one visit. Although they are highly resistant to wear, they are prone to breakage when under tension or upon impact.

• Gold alloy fillings: Gold alloy fillings are highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing. These fillings are very strong and resist fracture and wear and allow the dentist a minimal amount of tooth structure. The main disadvantages of gold alloy fillings may be their higher cost and their un-natural color.