Fillings Specialist
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Post Oak Dental
Cosmetic & General Dentists located in Houston, TX
Do you have a cavity or a crack in your teeth? If so, restore the function of your smile and protect it from further damage with fillings at Post Oak Dental, led by J. Chris Gowan, DDS, PA in Houston, Texas. Fillings are quick to place and effective. To schedule your appointment, reach out to the practice by phone or via the online booking tool today.
Fillings Q & A
What are dental fillings?
Dental fillings are materials that Post Oak Dental uses to fill holes (cavities) in your teeth.
Cavities develop when a sticky bacteria, called plaque, builds up on your teeth and groups together with sugars to create a tooth-eating acid. As the acid eats into your teeth, it wears down your enamel, eventually creating cavities.
Fillings offer several benefits to teeth impacted by cavities, including:
- Decreased tooth pain
- Prevention against further tooth decay
- Protection of exposed tooth nerves
- Strengthening of the tooth or restoration of tooth function
The practice may also use fillings to repair cracks, breaks, or wear-and-tear on your teeth.
How do you place fillings?
Filling placement is a quick and easy procedure. To begin, your team administers a local anesthetic to numb the area, so that you don’t experience any discomfort.
After you’re settled in and comfortable, your team removes all decay. Next, they shape the now-clean cavity.
Finally, your team fills your cavity in layers, and hardens the layers with a special light. To complete the procedure, your provider shapes and polishes the filling, so that it blends in naturally with the rest of your smile.
What materials make up dental fillings?
Post Oak Dental uses two types of filling materials: amalgam and composite resins.
Amalgam
Amalgam fillings are silver colored fillings made up of metallic elements. Amalgam fillings have been around for a long time, and they’re extremely durable and relatively inexpensive. However, because of their color, they don’t blend in with your natural smile.
For that reason, the practice only recommends them for filling large cavities in the back of your mouth.
Composite
Composite fillings are made up of glass and quartz resins. The practice recommends composite fillings over amalgam fillings for most cavities, as they can easily match composite fillings to your natural tooth color.
Composite fillings are also durable, and they work well in teeth that perform regular chewing tasks.
Do you need a filling? If so, book an appointment with the experienced professionals at Post Oak Dental. To get started, reach out online or over the phone today.