Find out how a tooth could benefit from getting a dental filling.
You just found out that you have a cavity. Oh no, what’s next? Don’t worry. You have our Madisonville, KY, family dentists, Drs. Ben and Stuart Baldwin, by your side who have handled countless cavities. As you might already know, even once the decayed enamel has been removed we need a way to restore the tooth. This is where a dental filling comes in.
What is a dental filling?
A filling is a tooth-colored material that is used to cover over the holes left over by cavities. When you have a cavity it isn’t just important to remove the decayed portions of the tooth to prevent it from spreading but also we then need to use a special material to rebuild the tooth and strengthen it. This is where a dental filling comes in.
A dental filling is often made from composite resin, a putty-like material that is designed to match the shade of your tooth so that no one will ever be able to tell that you have a dental filling. From there, the filling is applied layer by layer. With each layer applied, our Madisonville dentist will ensure that the material fills the holes but that it looks natural. The material will be shaped, contoured and trimmed to achieve the proper look. Once the resin layer has been appropriately shaped we will use a special laser to harden the resin to the tooth. Now the next layer can be applied until the tooth has been fully restored.
How long do dental fillings last?
While in a perfect world all dental restorations would last forever, unfortunately, dental fillings do have a shelf life. Of course, how well you care for your smile can also ensure that your filling lasts a long time. With good oral hygiene habits in place, a filling could last up to 10 years or more before needing to be replaced.
Since you won’t always know when a filling needs to be replaced it’s important that you continue to come in every six months for routine cleanings where we will check the health and integrity of the filling.
Baldwin Dental Group is dedicated to providing Madisonville, KY, with a full range of dental services to meet your needs. Whether you just need to schedule your routine cleaning or you want to talk to us about the cosmetic dentistry options we have to offer, we are here to help.