Dental Fillings
San Antonio, TX

Keeping our teeth healthy and strong is one of the most important things that we can do for our overall health. This is why it is so important to keep up on dental cleanings and maintain the best level of oral health you possibly can. If you fail to do these things, you might find yourself eventually fighting cavities. When this happens—and sometimes it happens even when you are doing the best you can to avoid dental issues—you will most likely to need to get a filling. It’s worth noting that sometimes fillings are also used to treat broken or cracked teeth that have been damaged or injured in some fashion.

What is a dental filling?

A dental filling is a dental tool used to help treat teeth that have been damaged by injury or decay. This is done by removing any decayed material from your tooth, cleaning the area in question, and then filling that area in your tooth with some kind of filling material. Closing off these spaces is an important way to restrict the spread of bacteria, which can help avoid infection and even prevent any further decay. There are a number of different types of filling material from which we can select.

What types of filling are available?

In general, fillings are created out of one of the following types of material:

Each filling type has its pros and cons, and we will be able to advise you as to which kind is best for your specific needs. When you come into Excellent Dental Specialists, for example, we are happy to sit down with you and explain why we think a particular kind of filling is the best option. With that said, there are different things to consider about each of them.

Gold fillings are cemented in place, and must be ordered from a laboratory—they are custom made, and will require more than one visit to complete. These kinds of fillings are tolerated well by your gums and are also quite long-lasting. They are also the most expensive choice in many situations.

Amalgam is probably one of the most commonly used filling materials out there. This is the basic silver filling that most people receive when they need a filling in their molars or back teeth. Because of the material’s color, however, this is not a prime choice for a filling where it might be seen.

Composite resin fillings are the go-to choice when it comes to filling a tooth that is easily visible. That’s because this material can be dyed to match your tooth color, which helps give a natural appearance to your smile.

Finally, porcelain fillings, also called inlays or onlays, are made to order like gold fillings. They can also be color matched to your tooth, however, they are more expensive than composite resin fillings and tend to be used when large areas of a tooth must be covered or restored.

Contact us if you are interested in learning more about your filling options.