If you have a cavity, Dr. Lindsay Bancroft is here to help with affordable, fast, and minimally invasive dental fillings. At Carmel Valley Dental, we can provide you with the treatment you need to restore your smile and prevent any further complications.
We offer both composite and amalgam fillings at our office. Composite fillings are made from a blend of crushed glass and tooth-colored dental resin. They look and feel just like a natural part of your tooth and require the removal of less enamel material. Composite fillings are typically used to restore front teeth, as they ensure your smile remains beautiful.
Amalgam fillings are made from a blend of metals, including tin, copper, silver, and mercury. They are very durable and hold up well to the forces of chewing but have a silver-gray color that can discolor the tooth. For these reasons, they’re typically recommended for restoring cavities in the rear teeth, such as the molars.
The process begins with comprehensive teeth cleaning. Then, Dr. Bancroft will numb the treatment area. You can also be sedated for your comfort. Once your mouth is numb, Dr. Bancroft will trim away the damaged and decayed enamel to make room for the filling material.
Once your tooth has been prepared, Dr. Bancroft will apply a composite or metal-amalgam filling material to the tooth and use dental tools to reshape it and replace the enamel that was removed when your tooth was trimmed.
When the overall shape looks right, the filling will be hardened, and Dr. Bancroft will refine its shape further with a dental drill. Then, she will check your bite to ensure the filling fits perfectly.
Fillings don’t require any special care beyond regular brushing and flossing. To keep your tooth healthy, you should make sure you brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once per day. In addition, make sure that you come into Carmel Valley Dental every six months for a teeth cleaning and oral exam.
Fillings don’t require any special care beyond regular brushing and flossing. To keep your tooth healthy, you should make sure you brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once per day. In addition, make sure that you come into Carmel Valley Dental every six months for a teeth cleaning and oral exam.
The American Dental Association explains that you can dramatically decrease your risk of cavities and other dental diseases by brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet, and visiting the dentist regularly. It adds that no dental filling lasts forever. This supports the point above about everyday care and regular visits.
“Prevention is the best medicine.”
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy, “Composite Fillings”
No. Fillings are minimally invasive, and you don’t have to worry about feeling any pain and discomfort during your treatment. Your dentist will numb your mouth before your treatment begins. You may feel some pressure or vibration from the dental drill during your appointment, but you won’t feel any pain.
This depends on how well you care for your teeth and your filling, as well as the material used for your filling. Tooth-colored composite fillings usually last between 5-8 years, though they can easily last up to 10+ years with proper care. Metal fillings, on the other hand, last between 10-15 years.
Ready to take the next step toward a healthier smile? Contact our office today at 858-758-8867 to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile!
