Damage or decay to your teeth may seem like a minor problem, but it only gets worse without treatment. Robert Tingilian, DDS, and Tom Shanakian, DDS, perform fillings and tooth restorations at Comfort Care Dental in Sherman Oaks and Glendale, California. If you’re suffering from tooth pain or think you have a cavity that needs filling, don’t hesitate to call Comfort Care Dental or book an appointment online today.
Fillings Q & A
What are tooth fillings?
Tooth fillings are a common dentistry procedure for removing decay or repairing damaged teeth. The Comfort Care Dental team most commonly uses fillings to close and seal a cavity after they remove the decayed portion of your tooth.
They may also suggest a filling to repair cracked or broken teeth or to fix teeth that are worn down due to unusual uses, such as:
- Nail biting
- Teeth grinding
- Using your teeth to open things
At Comfort Care Dental, the team uses color-matched resin composite fillings. These fillings restore your tooth while blending in perfectly with it.
How do I know if I need a tooth filled?
If you have damage or decay, you may experience pain or sensitivity, especially when drinking hot or cold beverages. Because this isn’t always the case, the best way to find out if you need a tooth filled is to have one of the Comfort Care Dental team members examine your teeth.
During a dental exam, your dentist may see spots on your teeth that suggest decay. They test these spots with a specialized instrument designed to probe your tooth enamel. They may also take X-rays to check areas of your teeth they can’t visually examine, such as the sides of teeth that are next to each other.
What should I expect from a tooth filling procedure?
You receive a painless injection that numbs the treatment area. Your Comfort Care Dental dentist uses specialized instruments to remove the decay from your tooth. Once the tooth is free of damaged or decayed tissue, they prepare the space for a filling.
They fill in the space with the composite resin, ensuring it matches your tooth and is fixed firmly in place. You shouldn’t feel anything during the procedure, but you may experience some discomfort after the anesthetic wears off.
When do fillings need to be replaced?
Fillings typically last several years, but they don’t hold up forever. Just like your natural tooth, your composite resin filling can stain over time. With wear and tear, fillings can fall out of your tooth. This is most common if you use your teeth as tools, which the Comfort Care Dental team advises against.
If you have an old filling you think may need to be replaced, call to schedule an appointment with Comfort Care Dental or book your visit online today.