At Li Family Dental, our goal is to help you and your family have healthy, beautiful smiles. Our tooth fillings in Etobicoke are used to fill cavities caused by decay.
Older fillings can affect the look of your teeth and also deteriorate over time. When you visit our office for regular dental checkups, we check your teeth for cavities as well as your fillings to look for signs of weakness. If there are signs of damage or your fillings are affecting the appearance of your teeth, we will recommend replacement.
What Are Tooth Fillings?
Tooth fillings are a common form of restoration used to repair damage caused by decay. Cavities can be filled in a number of ways based on the damage suffered by your tooth. The types of fillings can include:
- Composite Resins: This is the most common filling material used today as it helps maintain the natural look of your teeth. They will typically last up to 10 years but cannot be used for very large cavities.
- Inlays: An inlay might be required for a tooth with severe decay on the chewing surface of the tooth. It is a pre-moulded filling customized to fit the grooves of your existing tooth. They are available in resin, gold, and porcelain materials.
- Onlays: It is similar to an inlay but is used when the damage is not only on the chewing surface but also extends to the cusps. Since these areas tend to be more noticeable, it is usually recommended to use resin or porcelain onlays.
- Amalgam: These fillings are no longer used as they are not only very noticeable due to their silver colour, but because they contain mercury, which is hazardous to your health.
When Are Fillings Required?
In most cases, fillings are required to seal a cavity in your tooth. However, in some cases, they might be used to repair a damaged tooth.
Why Should I Replace Old Fillings?
There are a number of reasons we might recommend replacing a filling, including:
- You have old amalgam fillings containing mercury.
- You have chips or cracks in your existing filling.
- You have loose fillings.
- We detect decay beneath the filling.
- There is discolouration of the filling.
- You are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity around an existing filling.
How is a Filling Performed?
Having a filling is a standard procedure that can take about an hour. We will ensure you are comfortable during the procedure by numbing the area with a local anesthetic.
We will use a drill to remove the decay, which usually takes just a few minutes. Then, we fill the cavity using composite resin. You can expect to feel some numbness for an hour or two until the anesthetic wears off. You should not feel any discomfort, but you might feel a slightly different bite. If this is uncomfortable, just give us a call, and we can polish it down.
If you would like to learn more about tooth fillings in Etobicoke or wish to book an appointment to have your fillings checked, please call 416-232-2033 today.