More than 90 percent of Americans will have at least one cavity in their lives. Many people have multiple cavities.
That also means there are hundreds of millions of people in the United States who have dental fillings right now. Some fillings are pretty noticeable because they are made of metal.
Then there are people like our patients in San Diego, CA, who get metal-free tooth-colored fillings. It’s one of our most popular restorative services.
If you have a cavity, need to replace an old, worn-down filling, or develop tooth decay in the future, visit our team at the office of Brian Davey, DDS. Call 858-762-9991 to schedule an appointment with us, soon.
What Fillings Should Do
The primary purpose of dental fillings is to restore the function of your decayed teeth.
As we noted, cavities are incredibly common. When you or someone you care about needs to fix one, the first step will be removing the decay from your tooth.
Once that is done, the filling will fill the hole in your tooth. The will restore your ability to bite and chew without pain. It also will protect that part of your tooth against further decay.
But if you have a metal filling, that can become a distraction to others. It may even discourage you from smiling or speaking in certain situations.
By getting a tooth-colored filling, you can get all the protection, plus the cosmetic benefit as well. The fillings are made of a composite resin. This resin can be hardened, polished, and shaded to match the color of your natural tooth. This way, it blends in with the rest of your smile.
Replacing Old Fillings
Over the years that we have been helping people in and around San Diego, many people have asked about replacing their metal fillings with our resin ones.
This is certainly something we can do. From a functional standpoint, it’s pretty normal for fillings to wear out over time.
Fillings can crack or chip. Some metal fillings will start to separate from teeth after years of use. In the worst-case scenario, they may even fall out. In all of these situations, the filling isn’t providing the protection that it should. This also is when you should replace your old filling.
When that time comes, we will gladly replace your old filling with one of our tooth-colored ones. This way you can restore the protective function of your filling and restore your natural-looking smile at the same time.
The best way to monitor the condition of your filling is with routine dental cleanings and exams. Our team will check your fillings while we are taking care of the rest of your mouth. We can let you know when your filling is ready to be replaced.
Bring Back Your Smile
Whether you have a new cavity or need to replace an old filling, let Dr. Davey show you what we can do. Call 858-762-9991 or contact us online.
