COMPOSITE FILLINGS

Composite Fillings

Dental fillings are used to treat teeth that have cavities or decay. They're also used to repair injured teeth that have fractures. Because small cavities and mild tooth decay are found in the teeth of a large majority of Americans, dental fillings are the most performed dental procedure in the country.

When a patient complains of a toothache, the very first thing the dentist does is check for cavities and cracks. They do this by examining the tooth visually and with the use of X-rays. If the dentist finds that the tooth needs to be filled, they fix it. After numbing the tooth, the dentist will use a dental drill to remove any decayed dental tissue in the inner tooth. They will then clean the tooth with water before sealing it with a dental filling. With the dentist's help, the patient will choose the type of filling they prefer. They can choose from gold, silver, porcelain, or dental resin fillings.