Dental Fillings – Fort Worth, TX

A Solution for Small Cavities

A dental filling is a material placed inside a cavity in the tooth to restore it to its original shape. Dentists use them to prevent further tooth decay.

Dentists use fillings to repair teeth that suffer from decay or injuries. Like dental crowns, fillings cover the entire tooth and can help prevent further damage. Over 90% of Americans aged 20 and above have cavities, so it's no wonder that fillings are the most common treatment for teeth.

How to Know If You Need a Dental Filling

Most of the time, you will be able to tell if you need a dental filling in Fort Worth. For example, you may have recurrent bad breath, sensitivity to heat or cold, or a toothache that will not go away. You may also have chips in your teeth that are getting worse over time. Your dentist can also tell if you have tiny cracks in your teeth just by examining the surface of the tooth with a small dental mirror. That's why it's important to get regular dental checkups and pay attention to your teeth. See Dr. Presley at least twice a year for professional teeth cleanings and oral exams.

Types of Dental Fillings

Dental fillings can vary in form and function depending on the dentist performing the procedure. They come in four main types.

Silver Amalgams

Silver amalgam dental fillings are a unique dental material made of an alloy (mixture) of silver, tin, and mercury. Silver fillings have been around since the 1800s and are one of the least expensive types of fillings.

Composite Resin

Dentists make composite fillings by mixing resin with pigments. The color and hardness of a composite resin are more like a tooth than other filling materials. With composite resins, the dentist will make a mold of your teeth and match the color of the filling to that of your tooth.

Porcelain

Dental professionals often refer to porcelain fillings as inlays or onlays because a lab-made porcelain restoration becomes bonded to your tooth. Dentists usually recommend them for front teeth that have a lot of wear and tear. The restoration can match your natural tooth color and resist staining.

Gold

Dentists use an alloy of gold, copper, and other metals to make gold fillings. They make a gold inlay, a thin layer of gold that they place over the tooth. A traditional gold filling can wear away and crack with time.

After determining what type of filling you need, the dentist will sculpt the filling to fit your tooth cavity. Specialists call this process "bonding."