Dental fillings have been used for centuries and these simple restorations have saved lots of teeth. You, too, can benefit from dental fillings if they are provided before it is too late to save your tooth. Read on and learn about dental fillings from our team of professionals at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI.

Dental Fillings Defined

Simply put, a dental filling is a material that is used to plug a hole in your tooth. This puts a halt to the progression of a cavity that could degenerate into tooth decay and additional problems down the road. A dental filling promotes dental health by keeping a tooth functional and healthy.

Dentists in Sterling Heights, MI explain that the dental fillings used today are made from a variety of materials, such as silver amalgams, porcelain ceramic and composites (glass and resin, for example). They can also be made to match the color of your teeth. This way an observer cannot tell that you have these restorations on your teeth.

Signs You Need a Filling

The only way to know for certain that you need a dental filling is by visiting Dental One Care if you live in Sterling Heights. An assessment by a professional will reveal which teeth have cavities needing immediate attention.

However, there are some signs and symptoms that can also alert you to the possibility that you may have cavities needing to be checked out. These include;

• Pain (severe, mild, sharp, throbbing or any other variant of tooth pain)
• Sensitivity in one or more teeth when they are being used to eat, drink or speak.
• A visible mark or hole in your tooth.
• When dental floss keeps fraying while you clean between a given set of teeth.
• A feeling of roughness or jaggedness each time you run your tongue over a given tooth.

Orthodontists in Sterling Heights MI warn that by the time you experience the signs above, a cavity may have progressed to a level where the deeper structures of your tooth are affected. Most cavities don’t cause any pain. This painless stage is the best time to catch them and get a filling. Therefore, you should visit Dental One Care once every six months so that your teeth can be checked and cleaned by a professional. Any cavities discovered during these routine visits will be addressed long before they become bigger problems.

Possible Complications When Cavities Are Ignored for Long

If you leave your cavities unresolved for long, you risk the following;

• Tooth decay can result when a cavity is allowed to get deeper. Tooth decay can cost you your tooth, among other problems.
• Your tooth pain could worsen as the cavity deepens. This worsening pain can make it hard for you to eat, speak or function normally.
• If cavities aren’t treated with a filling in time, dental infections, like periodontal disease, can result since the holes in your tooth harbor bacteria. This allows the bacteria to attack the more delicate parts of your tooth, such as the dentin and pulp.
• You could also lose the tooth once decay sets in and invasive procedures like root canals aren’t capable of saving the affected tooth.

Common Questions About Dental Fillings

The experts at Dental One Care are frequently asked a number of questions about dental fillings. Those questions include;

Does the Procedure Hurt? Dentists assure you that getting a dental filling isn’t painful because your dentist will first administer a local anesthetic before starting the treatment. In contrast, the pain that you are likely to experience if you don’t get a filling when you should is likely to be much worse than any discomfort you feel while getting a filling.

How Long Does the Procedure Take? It typically takes the professionals at Dental One Care 30-60 minutes to place a dental filling. However, this time could increase if the cavity is large or multiple teeth need fillings. If you are concerned about the duration of the procedure, talk to the dentist and get clarification about how long you should expect the dental filling procedure to last.

Are Dental Fillings Expensive? Fillings are generally affordable. If you have dental insurance, your insurer could even cover the entire cost or most of it. If you don’t have insurance, talk to our staff.

Do Teeth Feel Different After the Procedure? Your teeth may feel somewhat different right after you receive the dental filling, but this typically subsides within a day or two. Your teeth should feel normal soon after the procedure.

If you still have questions about dental fillings or if you have pain in a particular tooth, contact us to schedule an appointment. We will address your queries and fix whatever problem is found to be responsible for the discomfort or pain that you are feeling in your tooth.