Repair Dental Decay With Tooth Fillings in Arlington
Sooner or later, there’s a good chance you’ll need a tooth filling to repair a cavity. When that time comes, you can feel confident that the experienced dental team at Fielder Park Dental will place your filling as quickly, comfortably, and efficiently as possible. Our tooth fillings in Arlington can help you:
Image Title: Tooth Fillings
Get strong and natural looking fillings
Read Transcript
Get strong and natural looking fillings
So tooth fillings are one of the initial steps that we can provide for a healthy mouth for patients. It allows us to remove bacterial infection of teeth, replace them with a bonded composite material that allows us to not have to remove a bunch of tooth structure like we used to in the past. Put those old silver fillings in there, now we can use tooth-colored materials that bond to the tooth and actually strengthen the tooth in that situation versus something that could potentially weaken it.
- Stop further damage from decay
- Bite and chew more comfortably
- Maintain an attractive smile
- Enjoy peace of mind about your oral health
If you suspect you could need a tooth filling, call our office today at 817-275-4817 to schedule an appointment. Sedation is available through nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a small pill if you’re nervous about your procedure. Laughing gas is complimentary.
A Tooth-Colored Filling Will Reinforce Your Tooth
Even if you practice good oral hygiene at home and visit us every six months for a checkup, you still might end up with a cavity. If we find decay, we can place a sturdy tooth filling that will repair the damage and help keep your teeth strong.
At Fielder Park Dental, most of the fillings we place are metal-free, tooth-colored composite fillings that blend in naturally with the rest of your smile. We also offer traditional amalgam fillings that are silver. We’ll help you determine which type of tooth filling will work better for your situation.
Many patients choose composite fillings because they are more attractive, and others will not even notice that you’ve had a filling placed. A bonded tooth-colored filling can restore a broken or decayed tooth. Bonded fillings can make your tooth stronger than an amalgam filling as well. Plus, you may enjoy the peace of mind knowing that there’s not any metal in your mouth.
If the broken or decayed tooth is left untreated, a more extensive and expensive treatment may be needed to maintain the tooth, such as a complete dental crown.
Visit us for tooth fillings in Arlington to repair your teeth. Call Fielder Park Dental at 817-275-4817, or request an appointment online.
Common Questions About Tooth Fillings
What are metal tooth fillings made of?
Metal fillings (also called amalgam) are made of a blend of metals including copper, tin, and silver. They also contain elemental mercury, which is used to make the amalgam flexible. The American Dental Association and the FDA both say that mercury used in dental fillings is safe under most circumstances. However, you can avoid mercury by getting composite fillings instead of metal ones.
Why are tooth fillings black?
Over time, the constant moisture in your mouth can cause metal in fillings to break down and oxidize. When this happens, they darken and turn black. Polishing them can help offset the dark color. Metal fillings may also shrink, which is a bigger concern. Shrinkage can create gaps, which allow bacteria to get under the filling and cause decay.
How long are tooth fillings supposed to last?
Many factors affect how long fillings will last, including the type of filling used, where it is located in your mouth, and your oral hygiene habits. In general, metal fillings last longer than composite ones and can better withstand wear and tear. So we sometimes recommend them for back teeth and other areas that are subject to heavy pressure.
Can I eat after a tooth filling?
It all depends on the filling you receive. For metal fillings, we advise you to wait 24 hours before chewing on the side near your filling. However, it’s completely fine to eat after your composite tooth filling. No matter what kind of filling you received, over the next week, you should avoid chewing any hard or sticky foods or anything too sugary or acidic. This ensures you don’t damage your new filling and you won’t experience any sensitivity issues.