Dental Fillings in Calgary SE
At Deer Valley Dental Care in South East (SE) Calgary, our dentists use dental fillings to repair tooth cavities, cracks, fractures and more.
What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is a restoration that is used to repair a tooth that has experienced decay (a cavity) or some type of trauma.
Fillings help to repair the function, structure and appearance of the natural tooth, and prevent any further decay from developing.
What type of dental filling is the best?
There are different types of fillings and no one type of filling is best for everyone. Your dentist can help you choose the best option for you.
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are silver in colour and made of a mixture of metals such as mercury, silver, copper and tin. They harden quickly and can generally be placed in one appointment.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings are tooth-coloured and made of a plastic and glass mixture. They harden quickly and can generally be placed in one appointment.
Porcelain Fillings
Porcelain filling are tooth-coloured and made of hard, brittle dental ceramics. They are created in a dental lab based on a model of your tooth, and then cemented into place.
Gold Fillings
Gold fillings are gold in colour and made of a mixture of gold with other metals such as silver and copper. They are created in a dental lab based on a model of your tooth, and then cemented into place.
In some cases, if the decay has damaged a larger portion of a tooth, a dental filling may not be possible. In this case, you may need a dental crown to restore the tooth.
Dental Fillings in Calgary: The Process
To fill a cavity, your dentist may first give you a local anesthetic to freeze the area so you do not feel any pain.
Your dentist will then remove any decay from your tooth.
There are two ways your dentist may fill the resulting space, depending on the type of filling you are getting.
A direct filling, like amalgam or composite fillings, is placed right after your dentist has cleaned out the decay. Most of the time, this process can be completed in one appointment.
An indirect filling, like gold or porcelain fillings, is custom made in a dental and then sent to your dentist who will cement it into place. This process generally takes at least two appointments.
FAQs
Check out answers to our most commonly asked questions about dental fillings
Are metal fillings bad?
Tiny amounts of mercury are released from the filling when you chew. For most people, this bit of mercury is nothing to worry about. Studies have shown that amalgam fillings do not cause illness. They have been used on people for more than 150 years.
Health Canada advises pregnant women in need of a filling to wait until the baby is born before they go ahead with the procedure.
Are dental fillings painful?
To fill a cavity, your dentist may first give you a local anesthetic to freeze the area so you do not feel any pain.
How long should teeth hurt after fillings?
Some people may feel sensitivity after they receive a filling. The tooth may be sensitive to pressure, air, sweet foods or cold.
This type of tooth pain after filling a cavity should resolve within a few weeks. If not, contact your dentist.
How long after a filling can I brush my teeth?
After you receive a dental filling, you can resume brushing twice a day and flossing daily right away.
Caring For Dental Fillings in Calgary
You must care for dental fillings much as you care for your natural teeth.
By practicing good oral hygiene and attending regular checkups and exams at your dental office, fillings can last for many years.