Following a root canal, a previously decayed or damaged tooth can be filled. Patients can restore and maintain their oral health with this general treatment option, keeping their natural teeth strong and healthy while avoiding damage that may lead to extraction.
Premier Dental Care offers white, cosmetic fillings for the most natural-looking result. Old, dark, or leaking fillings can be replaced with a tooth-colored composite filling that will provide long-lasting results.
Why Do I Need a Dental Filling?
Tooth-colored fillings offer multiple benefits to patients and dentists alike. “White” fillings are compatible with dental sealants and easily bond to the tooth structure. They can also be repaired by adding more composite material. You may need a dental filling for several reasons:
- Cavity Repair: The most common use of a tooth filling is to treat cavities. We will fill the cavity with composite resin for a natural look.
- Cracked or Broken Teeth: A dental filling can also repair and restore teeth that are cracked or broken due to injury or other factors.
- Worn Down Teeth: Your dentist may suggest a dental filling to fix teeth worn down by habits such as grinding (bruxism) or nail-biting.
- Tooth Sensitivity: Tooth fillings can protect areas of the tooth exposed by enamel loss, reducing sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli.
- Replace Old Filling: If you have an old dental filling, our dentists will be happy to replace it.
Treatment with Dental Fillings
A dental filling procedure can usually be completed in just one visit to our dental offices. Our dentist in Palmdale, CA, Dr. Karim Naguib, will apply a local anesthetic to the affected tooth to numb the area. He will then clean the area around the tooth.
The filling is then applied to the tooth, shaped, and hardened with a special light. Dr. Naguib will then polish the tooth for a natural look and shine.
In advanced cases of tooth decay, we may recommend a root canal, tooth extraction, or inlays and onlays to help restore a tooth or teeth. Dr. Naguib will work with you to determine the ideal treatment that best fits your particular needs.
At Premier Dental Care, our mission is to improve the health and function of our patients’ smiles. We work with patients individually to help them achieve healthy, long-lasting smiles.
Do I Need a Dental Filling?
There are many symptoms you may experience that indicate you could need a dental filling. One of the most common is tooth pain. This can come as sudden and throbbing pain when you’re biting or chewing food, or pain you experience when you’re drinking or eating something sweet or at certain temperatures. Any kind of tooth pain you experience should be examined by your dentist.
There are also visual signs of tooth decay. If you see dark spots on your teeth or a hole that you can see or feel, these are signs that you have a cavity. You may notice that food gets stuck between certain teeth, or that your floss always tears at a certain spot. These are signs that you may need a filling, too.
Patient Review
Dental Filling FAQs
Dr. Naguib and his professional team are committed to providing comfortable, comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages. If you have any questions about dental fillings, please contact our staff, and they will be happy to answer them. Continue reading for answers to the most common questions patients ask us about dental fillings.
Are dental fillings normal?
Yes. Most Americans have at least three dental fillings. They’re among the most common dental treatments performed by dentists.
Do fillings make your teeth weaker?
Dental fillings are designed to strengthen your teeth. Composite fillings work with your teeth and bond directly to the tooth’s surface. They’re much stronger than having a tooth with a cavity.
Can I eat after getting a dental filling?
With composite fillings, the material is hardened by a particular light before you leave the office. This means that you can eat right after your appointment! We may recommend that you wait an hour or two, however, depending on where the filling is located. The anesthetic used can take a while to wear off, making it difficult to eat or use a straw.
How long does it take for tooth fillings to settle?
On average, a tooth filling takes about 24 hours to completely settle and harden. During this time, patients should be careful while chewing and eating. We suggest sticking to a soft diet during this time to lower your risk of post-procedure complications. Please follow your dentist’s instructions exactly to avoid damaging the filling.
How many times can you replace a filling?
Tooth fillings can be replaced multiple times. We do not have an exact limit to how many times a filling can be replaced; however, we will stop replacing your filling once the hole is too large. At this point, your tooth will need to be restored rather than filled.
How long after a filling can you drink water?
After a filling is placed, we recommend waiting at least an hour before drinking water. We advise patients to wait a couple of hours, or until any numbness has worn off, before eating or chewing anything else.
Do you need a dental filling after a root canal procedure?
After a root canal procedure, a dental filling is often necessary to restore the tooth’s structure and function. During root canal treatment, your dentist will remove infected and damaged pulp from inside the tooth.
This process leaves a hollow space within the tooth that needs to be sealed to prevent further infection or damage. The dental filling will serve as a sealant, filling this space and restoring the tooth’s integrity.
What should I do if my filling falls out or breaks?
If your dental filling falls out or breaks, contact us to schedule an appointment. We will assess the damage and replace or repair the filling.
At home, keep the area clean to prevent infection. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and avoid eating on that side. Stay away from foods that could further damage the exposed tooth, such as hard candy, nuts, or gum.
Also, avoid anything hot, cold, or sweet that might worsen the sensitivity. If your tooth feels sensitive or painful, take over-the-counter pain relievers.
Improve Your Oral Health
Do you suspect you have a cavity? You may need a dental filling. We use this common and versatile treatment to help maintain your oral health. Contact one of our offices to book an appointment for a dental filling in Palmdale or Lancaster, CA:
- Call our Lancaster location at (661) 948-6700 or request a dental visit to our Lancaster dentist office online.
- Call our East Palmdale location at (661) 273-6565 or request a visit to our East Palmdale dentist office online.
- Call our West Palmdale location at (661) 947-7777 or request a visit to our West Palmdale dental office online.