Fillings and Sealants
Tooth decay and cavities are both common dental issues. Fillings can restore your teeth and help prevent simple decay from becoming something worse.
Dental Fillings
A dental filling is a simple and relatively painless process used to treat cavities, and it can easily be easily performed at our New Albany office.
To begin, our dentists numb the area around the affected tooth to ensure your comfort throughout the process. Then, they remove the decayed portion of the tooth to prevent further damage. The cavity is then filled with a resin material, which is carefully shaped and polished to blend seamlessly with your natural bite.
We use composite fillings made from resin, which are designed to match the color of your natural teeth, so no one will notice if you’ve had a cavity filled.
Dental Sealants
No matter how diligently you brush, rinse, and floss, it’s inevitable that some plaque and food will get captured in the deep grooves of a tooth’s chewing surface. At New Albany Dental Care, our dentists use sealants to fill those grooves and prevent cavities from forming.
Sealants are made from medical-grade plastic, which guards your teeth against acids and plaques that can cause cavities. Often placed on the chewing surface of molars, sealants are created by painting the tooth with a special material that sticks to its exterior. The process is simple yet proven to be highly effective at cavity prevention.
FAQs
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How do dental fillings for cavities work?
Cavity and tooth fillings are required when decay leaves holes in teeth. Left unchecked, the decay will continue to spread and damage the tooth’s hard material and eventually the inner pulp and root system. During the filling procedure, dentists clean away decay inside the cavity with a drill. However, because this doesn’t fix the damage that is already there a filling is necessary. The intent of the filling is to replace the part of the tooth that was destroyed by tooth decay. Your dentist will mold the filling to fit the shape of the existing tooth to restore its structural integrity and protect the softer enamel exposed by decay.
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What types of fillings are there?
Several types of materials are used for tooth fillings. At New Albany Dental Care, we use composite resin to fill cavities. Composite fillings have several benefits, including improved aesthetics, durability, and the ability to bond directly to the tooth structure, reducing the need for extensive removal of healthy tooth material.
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Is tooth sensitivity after a filling normal?
When you get a filling, the area around the infected tooth is numbed. You shouldn’t feel anything for an hour or two after your appointment but once the numbing wears off it’s normal to feel pain in your teeth and gums.
More Questions
If you have more questions about dental fillings and sealants, give us a call and we'll be happy to discuss further.
