Fillings

After removing the decayed portions of a tooth, your dentist places a filling to repair the damage. At Frontier Family Dental in Graham, Washington, Seung Jae (David) Joung, DMD, provides several different types of fillings to meet your needs and restore your oral health. Call Frontier Family Dental or schedule your next examination online today.

What are fillings?

Fillings are a restorative dental treatment for cavities. They’re very common, and it’s likely you’ll need at least one at some point in your life, especially if you’re prone to cavities. You can get gold fillings or fillings in materials that match the color of your teeth, like porcelain or composite. 

At Frontier Family Dental, your dentist discusses your filling options and can help you decide which material is best for you. Frontier Family Dental provides two different filling types:

Direct fillings

Direct fillings take place in a single visit. Your dentist places the filling into a prepared cavity and makes final adjustments before you leave. These include glass ionomers, resin ionomers, and composite (resin) fillings). 

Indirect fillings

Indirect fillings are tailored to the shape and size of your cavity, and they take longer than direct fillings. During the first visit, your dentist prepares your tooth and makes an impression. They then create your solid filling, called an inlay or onlay, and place it during your second visit. These fillings include gold, base metal alloys, and ceramics. 

When do I need a filling?

When you visit Frontier Family Dental for a cleaning and exam, your dentist might find a cavity. However, if it’s been a while since your last exam, you might develop a cavity that eventually causes symptoms. Book an appointment right away with Frontier Family Dental if you experience:

• Visible holes in your teeth
• Toothache or pain
• Tooth sensitivity
• Black, brown, or white tooth staining

Your dentist checks your mouth and can determine if symptoms like these are from a cavity. They can then treat the cavity with a filling in the material of your choice. 

How should I care for my fillings after treatment?

Taking care of your teeth helps you avoid needing additional fillings in the future. Plus, you can keep both the filling and the tooth strong and healthy. Following a filling at Frontier Family Dental, aftercare includes:

• Brushing twice daily
• Using a fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing once a day
• Eating a balanced diet with limited sugar
• Getting routine dental exams and cleanings

You also need to be mindful of practices that could damage or dislodge a filling. You should avoid biting down on solid objects like hard candies and fingernails and never use your teeth in place of scissors. 

Schedule your next exam over the phone or online at Frontier Family Dental to find out if you need a filling today.