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Dental fillings are a type of restorative dentistry treatment used by dentists to repair cavities or fix minor chips and cracks in your teeth. Other names for dental fillings include:

Tooth fillings
Cavity fillings
Dental restorations – this term refers to treatments that restore teeth, such as fillings, inlays, onlays, bridges, and crowns

Your dentist will discuss treatment options to determine which type of dental filling is better for your situation.

There are many different types of dental fillings and they fall into one of two categories: direct or indirect.

Direct fillings are created by dentists and placed in your mouth without the need for a dental laboratory or temporary restoration. They only require one office visit.

Common materials for direct fillings include:

Amalgam
Resin composite
Glass ionomer

Indirect fillings are made by a dental technician in a lab before your dentist places them in your mouth. Most indirect fillings require two office visits, one to take dental impressions and another to put your restoration. If your dentist uses computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing or CAD/CAM technology, they may be able to create and place your indirect filling in a single appointment.

Inlays and onlays are two common indirect fillings that dentists use when a tooth has too much damage to support a filling but not enough damage for a dental crown. An inlay or onlay fits into your tooth structure like a tiny puzzle piece.

Common materials for indirect fillings include:

Gold
Porcelain

During the dental filling procedure, your dentist will:

Numb your tooth with local anesthesia
Remove damaged or decayed tissue from your tooth using specialized instruments
Fill the hole with dental filling material
Use a dental curing light to harden the material (only for resin composite)
Polish and smooth any rough edges
Check your bite to make sure it feels normal

The exact steps may vary depending on the material your dentist uses and what type of filling they place.

If you have anxiety about visiting the dentist, ask about sedation options. Sedation dentistry helps keep you calm and comfortable during your procedure.

If your teeth need a check-up, you can make an appointment with one of our board-certified dentists at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Dental Center by calling 718-206-6980.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

We have all made New Year’s resolutions at some point in our lives. Many of these

annual vows revolve around improving our health. Typical resolutions may include losing weight, quitting smoking, or beginning an exercise routine, but what about our oral health? The New Year is also a good time to commit ourselves to better dental care.

Make 2018 the year you look to improve your smile. Some ways to help you meet this goal include:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Daily brushing and flossing is a simple way to improve your oral health. For successful bacterial plaque removal, it is important to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once per day to remove bacterial plaque and food that has accumulated throughout the day. Daily brushing and flossing help to prevent gingivitis (gum disease), tooth decay and halitosis (bad breath). The daily use of antimicrobial and fluoride mouth rinses also helps to improve your oral health.
Watch What You Eat and Drink – An important part of achieving your dental health resolutions is making healthier food and beverage choices, especially for snacks. Frequent consumption of food and beverages containing carbohydrates and acids contributes to tooth decay.
Quit Smoking – Quitting cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use is important for improving your oral and overall health. There is no better time than the present to make a resolution to stop tobacco use. Consider free online tools, smoking cessation groups, progress-tracking apps and support from friends and family to assist you with tobacco cessation.
Use Whitening Products – There are several over-the-counter smile-improving products that you
can use to whiten your teeth when you brush and floss. In recent years, tooth whitening has acquired enormous popularity because they can enhance the appearance of teeth by removing deep (intrinsic) or surface (extrinsic) stains.
Receive Regular Check-Ups – A resolution to make routine visits to the dentist may help prevent oral disease or reveal an existing disease in its early stage. Dental visits should take place every six months to allow your dentist and dental hygienists to monitor the condition of your oral cavity and develop an appropriate treatment plan to meet your wants and needs.

Some however might need to make more than a few lifestyle changes to address their dental needs. For those, a dentist or orthodontist can help. Make this the year you stop putting off having dental work done. An orthodontist can correct an overbite or straighten crooked teeth and a dentist can address your need for crowns, implants or fillings to preserve your tooth structure.

To make an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Dental Center, please call 718-206-6980.

Tag Archives: dental care

Dental Fillings – Different Types and What to Expect During Your Procedure

Make Your Smile a Priority in 2018