Dental Fillings at Officer Dental Care
When teeth become decayed and have cavities, they need to be filled and restored to their original shape and function using safe and durable materials, such as composite.
The dentists at Officer Dental Care provide tooth-coloured composite restorations, as these allow your teeth to look the same or better than a natural tooth after the filling. We only use the most advanced materials and techniques to restore the appearance and the function of the tooth and aim to make this process as gentle and pain-free as possible. We also offer inhalation sedation to successfully manage any pain and anxiety.
Benefits of Our Amalgam-Free Fillings
Along with only using the safest and most durable materials, we can also assure that our dental fillings are Amalgam-free. This poses a number of benefits to our patients, including:
- Composite fillings can be made to perfectly match the shade of your tooth, resulting in a restoration that is subtle and a smile that is seamless.
- Unlike the Amalgam fillings which were common decades ago, our composite fillings do not contain any mercury.
- Tooth-coloured fillings are not affected by temperature, meaning that hot and cold foods and beverages will not have any negative impacts on the filling.
- When compared to silver Amalgam fillings, composite fillings also require less of the tooth’s natural structure to be removed, therefore requiring less drilling and discomfort during the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Toothache: Pain or discomfort in a specific tooth.
- Sensitivity: Sharp pain when exposed to hot, cold, or sweet foods/drinks.
- Visible holes or cracks: Chips, dark spots, or gaps in your teeth.
- Roughness: Feeling a jagged texture on a tooth with your tongue.
If you have any of these symptoms, see a dentist for a proper diagnosis.
Recovery after a dental filling is usually quick. There might be some minor discomfort for a day or two, but most people can resume normal activities right away. Tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold, may occur but typically resolves within a few days to a week.
There are various types of materials used for dental fillings, including:
- Gold
- Silver amalgam
- Composite
- Ceramic
- Glass ionomers
Each material has its benefits and is suited to different conditions. Your dentist will help you determine the best option based on your dental health and budget.
Resin composite fillings typically last between 5 to 10 years with proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.
An amalgam filling, also known as a silver filling, is a mixture of metals used to fill cavities in teeth. The main components are:
- Liquid mercury (around 50%)
- Silver
- Tin
- Copper
- Smaller amounts of other metals like zinc
Composite fillings are considered safe and are a popular choice for their aesthetic appeal, as they can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.
Smaller amounts of other metals like zinc may also be present.
DO YOU REQUIRE A DENTAL FILLING?
Some of the tell-tale signs of tooth decay or erosion include sensitivity, pain or discomfort. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms, then you may be a candidate for one of our high-quality composite restorations.
Please schedule an appointment with our dentists today. If left untreated, a simple filling may turn into a more complex procedure, such as root canal therapy or even extraction. Our friendly team are passionate about prevention and would love to assist you as soon as possible.