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FAQs about Fillings

Fillings are an important dental treatment that help prevent tooth decay from destroying your teeth. Your Newmarket dentist, Dr. RichardFillings Lee-Shanook offers fillings at Newmarket Dentistry and shares a few commonly asked questions about this tooth restoration option.

Why do I need a filling?

Your dentist will recommend a filling if he spots a cavity in a tooth. In some cases, the cavity is first detected on an X-ray during a dental exam, and you may not even be aware that you have a problem. Filling the tooth when the cavity is small is very important because as cavities grow larger, they destroy more of your tooth's structure. Without a strong structure, your tooth can crack or break.

What type of pain relief will be used?

Your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around your tooth, which will make receiving a filling painless. Your dentist wants to ensure that you're comfortable while you receive a filling and won't start the procedure unless the area is completely numb.

What happens when I receive a filling?

Your dentist will use a dental drill to removed the decayed area of your tooth. He may also use hand tools to ensure that every piece of decay is removed, then clean the area by spraying it with water and air. After the tooth is cleaned, he'll replace the previously decayed area with a filling.

Fillings can be made with gold, porcelain, amalgam or a composite material, although amalgam and composite fillings are the types most often used. Composite fillings are made with tooth-colored resin while amalgam fillings consist of a combination of silver, mercury, tin and copper. Although your new filling will harden almost immediately, your dentist may recommend that you wait a little while to chew on that side of your mouth, depending on the material used in the filling.

Whether you're concerned about an aching tooth or it's time for your next dental exam, Dr. Shanook, your dentist in Newmarket, can help. Call Newmarket Dentistry today at (905) 830-1010 and schedule an appointment. Protect your smile with regular dental visits!

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