Fillings Specialist

What are fillings?

Fillings replace a decayed or damaged portion of your tooth with strong materials. After Dr. Pagan expertly extracts the affected portion of your tooth, she uses a filling to return your tooth to its original appearance and function. 

Most people think of fillings as the treatment for cavities. While that’s the most common reason for getting a filling, they can actually restore your teeth in multiple ways. Some reasons that you might need a new filling include:

• Broken tooth repair
• Worn tooth restoration
• Closing a gap between teeth
• Replacing a fractured filling
• Replacing an old amalgam (silver) filling

The exact type of filling you need depends on the extent of decay or damage as well as your personal preferences. 

What types of fillings are available?

We Care 4U Dental Center offers a wide range of options to restore your teeth. The most popular options for dental fillings today are those that restore your tooth fully while still looking natural. These include:

Composite resin

Composite resin is a blend of plastic and glass particles. It’s a moldable material that Dr. Pagan uses to fill in holes and crevices after removing decay or damaged parts of your tooth. Composite resin matches your natural tooth color. 

Ceramic fillings

Ceramic fillings, called inlays and onlays, are porcelain, which makes them the most durable and long-lasting type of filling. They’re also stain-resistant. 

Inlays cover a decayed or damaged area between your tooth cusps, Onlays cover more surface, including at least one tooth cusp. Inlays and onlays are the smaller cousins of crowns. 

While inlays and onlays are fillings, they’re very different from composite resin fillings because they’re a solid material instead of a moldable one. 

After removing the decayed part of your tooth, Dr. Pagan makes molds of your tooth. Then, she creates inlays and onlays that fit into that empty area precisely. 

Dr. Pagan explains your options and helps you choose the ideal long-term solution for your fillings. 

What is the procedure for fillings?

Some fillings require just one appointment while others require two. 

Composite resin fillings

Composite resin fillings require one appointment. First, Dr. Pagan administers painless injections to numb your mouth. Then, she removes the decayed or damaged parts of your tooth. She matches the composite resin color to your tooth and then shapes it carefully. Finally, she uses a curing light to harden the filling.

Ceramic fillings 

Ceramic fillings require two appointments. Dr. Pagan starts by taking molds of your tooth. These molds create the blueprint for both a temporary and permanent filling. She administers painless injections to numb your mouth before removing the decayed area and preparing your tooth. 

Finally, Dr. Pagan places your temporary ceramic filling. You’ll wear that filling while a dental lab produces your custom long-term ceramic filling. At your second appointment, Dr. Pagan removes your temporary ceramic filling and places the permanent one. 

Dr. Pagan makes sure that your filling matches your tooth perfectly and that your bite feels normal. After, you can confidently eat without pain or worry. 

Need a filling without pain? Call We Care 4U Dental Center or click on the online scheduler.