Are you feeling tooth pain? Or are you having trouble with cracks or other damage to your teeth? Chances are you need a filling.

A dental filling is a substance that’s used to “fill” in holes in a damaged, broken, or decayed tooth. Stallings Dental specializes in providing you options to treat your cracked and broken teeth, and feel confident in your smile.

Types of Fillings

• Tooth-Colored Composite: For front teeth and other visible parts of your teeth, composite fillings are often the best option. The shade and color of the composite is matched to the color of existing teeth, making this kind of filling much less evident than silver fillings. Because the composite filling is chemically bonded to the tooth structure, composite fillings can also provide additional support for the tooth and require less of the tooth structure to be removed compared with silver fillings.
• Glass Ionomer: Glass ionomer fillings are made of acrylic and glass material. Because they release fluoride, they can strengthen teeth and help protect them from further decay. This kind of filling is particularly effective for children, whose teeth are still changing.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of dental filling. Talk with Dr. Stallings to choose the filling that works best for you.

Dental Filling Procedure

Dr. Stallings will begin by numbing the gums surrounding the damaged tooth. He will then inspect the tooth for signs of decay. If present, the affected areas of the tooth will be removed. Once the cavity is completely removed, Dr. Stallings will wash and dry the tooth, eliminating bacteria and preparing the area for the filling. The filling material is then used to fill the affected areas until the original shape of the tooth is restored. Finally, after the filling is in, Dr. Stallings will polish the tooth.

Caring for Your Filling

Once getting a filling, it is important to follow oral health practices, such as brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and visiting Dr. Stallings for regular cleanings. If your filling cracks, breaks, or begins to leak (when the filling doesn’t fit tightly to the tooth, saliva and other bacteria can seep into the tooth and cause decay), call Dr. Stalling to schedule an appointment.

Insurance

Most dental insurance plans cover the cost of silver fillings. For composites, the insurance company will generally cover the cost up to the price of silver fillings, then the patient must pay the difference.