What is a dental filling

A dental filling is a treatment for tooth decay, or caries. Dental caries is an infection caused by bacteria living in your mouth. The bacteria feeds on sugars from your food, secreting acid that breaks down the hard structure of your tooth. Unlike a cut on your finger, your teeth cannot heal by themselves, and your body cannot clear a tooth infection by itself. 

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Your dentist will carefully remove the decay, preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible, then bond and shape a special tooth-colored material called composite. This material is metal-free and mercury-free. The composite bonds to your tooth structure on a micromechanical level for a nearly invisible finish. 

Signs you have a cavity

In the early stages of a cavity, you might not notice any symptoms. Dental caries will not cause pain until at an advanced stage of destruction, when the decay has progressed close to the nerve of the tooth. That’s why it’s important to have regular dental exams and x-rays to check for decay while it is in the early stages. 

In the more advanced stages, decay may appear as

• Holes in the teeth

• Black/brown spots

• Pain/sensitivity to hot/cold and biting pressure 

• Sensitivity to sweet 

• Soft spots on the tooth surface

 

When you need a filling

Fillings can also be used to repair some instances of a broken tooth, chipped tooth, or cracked tooth. It can also be used for esthetic purposes to close gaps, lengthen teeth, alter the shape, or replace old silver fillings. Talk to your dentist to find out whether a composite restoration is an option for your problems.  

 

A dental filling in the Gaithersburg, Potomac, or Rockville area can cost anywhere between $200-500, based on the size and extent of the restoration.

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For more information, please contact us here.