Fillings
Fillings replace damaged or decayed tooth structure with a restorative material. There are several different types of filling materials, including:
- White fillings: After much research, some new tooth-colored materials have been developed that are stronger, longer-lasting and more aesthetically pleasing to our patients. These new tooth-colored fillings bond directly to the tooth, strengthening it by restoring most of its original shape. The fillings can even be custom-colored to match your teeth to help give you the most natural-looking smile possible.
- Silver amalgam: Amalgam was once the most commonly used material when it came to dental restorations, such as fillings. However, silver fillings do not have much aesthetic appeal to patients.
Tooth Extractions
An extraction is the complete removal of a tooth. Extractions are sometimes necessary if:
- A primary tooth is preventing the normal eruption of a permanent tooth
- The tooth has suffered extensive tooth decay or trauma that cannot be repaired
- The patient has gum disease
- The tooth is impacted – this is usually the case with the third molars, or “wisdom teeth,” as they erupt years after the other teeth and often have insufficient room in the jaw
Depending on the complexity of the case, an extraction can be performed surgically or non-surgically. A mild anesthesia is used to ensure the patient is as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure