Fillings Specialist

What is a filling?

A filling is a procedure that the team at Gregory Family Dental performs to fill a hole in your tooth’s enamel. “Filling” is both the name of the procedure and the name of the material used in the procedure.

The most common reason for getting a filling is to treat cavities caused by tooth decay, such as a cavity. 

Cavities often develop when plaque is allowed to stay on the surface of your teeth for too long. This more frequently happens as a result of poor oral hygiene, but it can also happen if you have crooked or misaligned teeth that are simply harder to clean. Plaque eats away at your tooth's enamel, creating a cavity. 

What are fillings made from?

Gregory Family Dental offers tooth-colored fillings, which are made from a porcelain material that has the same color as your tooth’s enamel.

Cavities used to be filled with a combination of metals like silver or mercury. This combination was referred to as “amalgam.” While thought to be effective at the time, modern dentistry has developed filling materials that pose less risk to your health and do a better job of adhering to your teeth.

Tooth-colored filling materials like composite resin and porcelain are incredibly effective at protecting your teeth from further decay, and they also provide a cosmetic benefit in blending in with the natural color of your tooth’s enamel. With a tooth-colored filling, Dr. McLaurian can fix your tooth decay without damaging the cosmetic appearance of your smile.

If you have old metal fillings, Dr. McLaurian and the team at Gregory Family Dental can also replace them with tooth-colored fillings to give you a healthier and better-looking smile. 

What happens when I get a filling?

The process for getting a filling is fairly simple, straightforward, and quick. Dr. McLaurian first uses a local anesthetic to numb your tooth and the surrounding tissue. Next, he removes the decay with a small drill or air abrasion instrument. 

When your tooth is free of decay, Dr. McLaurian sterilizes the cavity preparation, then fills it with a tooth-colored filling material. He cures the material using a specific wavelength of blue light and then shapes your tooth by removing any excess material.

The end result is a healthy, natural-looking tooth that’s sealed off from any further decay.

Get your tooth-colored fillings today by scheduling a consultation with the team at Gregory Family Dental. You can book your visit by calling the office or using the online scheduling tool.