Dental Fillings in Lakeland, Florida

A dental filling is a standard tool used by dentists to help treat cavities. Fillings can stop a cavity from getting worse and can prevent infection from spreading through your mouth. In addition, fillings will preserve your natural teeth, allowing you to show off your white, bright, and healthy smile. Crosby Dentistry provides dental fillings as an effective solution for our patients of all ages.

Our dental practice is located in Lakeland, FL, where we help families keep their smiles strong. We know that finding a cavity can be a bit scary, but our team makes the process easy and comfortable. By visiting our office in Lakeland, FL, you can get the care you need to stop tooth decay before it leads to bigger health problems. We use the latest tools to make sure your treatment is quick and helps you maintain optimal dental health.

What Is a Dental Filling?

Sometimes, decay can take hold deep within a tooth. Over time, the decayed area of the tooth becomes prone to infection, which may spread throughout the tooth and into the gums. Dental fillings offer a safe and easy solution. A dental filling plugs the hole in the tooth where infection and decay have taken hold. By sealing the cavity in your tooth, we can keep as much of your natural tooth structure intact as possible. Filling cavities can help strengthen your existing tooth while also preventing the spread of decay and infection through your mouth.

When a tooth filling is placed, it replaces the portion of the tooth that was damaged by bacteria. This protects the sensitive inner parts of the tooth from further damage. Without a proper filling, a small hole can turn into severe tooth decay, which might eventually require dental implants or a bridge if the tooth cannot be saved. Keeping your natural tooth structure is always our primary goal.

Benefits of Getting a Dental Filling in Lakeland, Florida

Choosing to get a dental filling as soon as a cavity is found offers many benefits for your oral health. It is a simple way to stop a small problem from becoming a painful one. When we fix a cavity early, we protect the surrounding tooth structure and keep the root of the tooth safe. This is one of the most important parts of preventive dental care.

Some of the top benefits include:

• Stopping the growth of a cavity to prevent tooth loss.
• Restoring the strength of the affected tooth so you can chew normally.
• Protecting the tooth from further decay by sealing out food and bacteria.
• Improving the look of your smile by using materials that match your natural teeth.
• Saving money in the long run by avoiding more expensive dental work, like crowns.

Are There Different Types of Fillings?

Our patients have several options for dental fillings, consisting of three main types:

1. Resin: This is the most common and popular type of dental filling. Our team mixes the resin material with specific colors to match the natural color of your tooth. This feature makes the filling nearly imperceptible, mimicking the look and feel of a natural tooth. Resin is strong and is usually the most economical option for patients. It is perfect to use on the front teeth and will only occasionally be applied to back molars. Resin dental fillings are quick to apply, and the procedure can be finished in just one visit.
2. Porcelain: This is another standard option, very similar to resin. The porcelain color can also be custom-designed to give you a natural look. Compared to resin, though, porcelain is a much stronger material. This type of dental filling is ideal for back molars that receive wear and tear from chewing. However, porcelain fillings are more costly than resin, and it usually takes multiple appointments to apply this material to a cavity.
3. Metal amalgam: This type of filling is an ideal option to repair cavities. Metal fillings are strong and are perfect to use on back molars. The metal adheres and sets quickly, and the filling can last for years with the right care. Metal fillings can be visible and will not blend with your natural tooth color. However, if used on back molars, they are rarely seen. Metal dental fillings are made with safe, bio-friendly metals that won’t harm the body.

What Happens During a Cavity Filling?

Cavities are often caused by decay and infection that has formed within the tooth. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, we must first thoroughly remove the infection from your mouth. By cleaning out the infection entirely, we can ensure the decay will not spread to otherwise healthy teeth.

The cavity filling procedure starts with a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding area. This ensures you won’t feel a thing while we work on the affected tooth. Dr. Brian Crosby will use a dental drill or laser to remove the decayed portion of the tooth. Once the tooth is cleaned and your mouth is sanitized, the dental filling material is poured into the tooth’s cavity.

If we are using composite materials, we will use a special light to harden the layers of the resin. After the material hardens, the doctor will mold the filling to fit inside the tooth naturally. Our team will then ensure that you have an even bite and make tiny adjustments to the dental filling to give you a comfortable and beautiful smile. We check for proper bite alignment so the tooth feels normal when you eat.

Caring for Your New Tooth Filling

After your dental appointment, it is important to take good care of your new filling. For the first few hours, the area might feel a bit numb from the local anesthesia. Be careful not to bite your tongue or cheek during this time. Once the feeling returns, you can eat and drink normally, but you should avoid very crunchy or sticky foods for a day if you received silver amalgam.

To keep your fillings in great shape, you must maintain good dental health at home. This means:

• Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Flossing every day to remove plaque from around the filling.
• Visiting us for regular checkups so we can check for rough edges or leaks.
• Eating a balanced diet to prevent new spots of tooth decay.

Are Fillings Permanent?

While creating a filling for a cavity is a permanent solution, dental fillings have a limited lifespan. Most will last for five to twelve years if given the proper care and treatment. However, replacing a filling that has become dislodged is quick and easy. Our team is always willing to replace or repair dental fillings that have become loose.

Over time, biting and chewing can cause the filling material to wear down or chip. If a gap forms between the filling and the tooth, bacteria can get inside and cause further decay. During your routine visits, we check the surrounding tooth structure to make sure everything is still sealed tight. If we find a problem, we can replace the filling before it causes a larger issue.