Even with excellent oral hygiene, cavities can still develop for various reasons. Although cavities are common, they should not be taken lightly. Without treatment, decay will continue to spread and erode your natural teeth, potentially leading to more serious dental issues such as infections or tooth loss.
Fortunately, our team at Enlighten Dental is equipped to restore your dental health efficiently. With advanced techniques and a commitment to patient care, we can provide fillings in a single appointment at our Vancouver, BC, office. Our goal is to ensure you leave with a healthy, pain-free smile.
A dental filling is a procedure used to repair a cavity, a small hole in the tooth caused by bacterial decay. During the procedure, we will carefully remove the decayed portion of the enamel to prevent the cavity from growing larger and causing further damage. Once the decay is removed, the cavity is filled with a restorative material such as porcelain, composite resin, or amalgam. This material restores the tooth’s function and integrity, effectively creating what is known as a dental filling.
At Enlighten Dental, we prioritize the health and safety of you and your family. Based on decades of experience and extensive biocompatibility testing, we have meticulously selected restorative materials that are most universally compatible with the human body. Our goal is to ensure that the materials used to restore your teeth effectively and integrate seamlessly with your natural oral environment. This careful selection process helps minimize the risk of adverse reactions and ensures the longevity and success of your dental fillings. Our commitment to using the best materials reflects our dedication to providing high-quality, patient-centered dental care.
Our Vancouver, BC, patients now have more choices than ever regarding dental fillings. While fillings historically meant using silver metal amalgam, modern options are much more natural and aesthetically pleasing. Porcelain and composite resin are enamel-colored materials that are both safe and biocompatible. These materials blend seamlessly with your natural teeth and offer durability comparable to amalgam fillings.
We understand that every patient has unique needs and personal preferences regarding dental restorations. Our goal is to thoroughly explain your options, answer all your questions, and help you make the best decision for your dental health. At Enlighten Dental, we are committed to providing personalized care and ensuring that you are fully informed about your choices.
If you had a cavity filled with metal amalgam in the past and are dissatisfied with its appearance, there’s no need to wait for the filling to run its natural course. Our team at Enlighten Dental is happy to replace noticeable amalgam fillings with modern, tooth-colored alternatives. We believe amalgam removal and other holistic techniques can benefit your overall health. We aim to reduce the use of non-biocompatible materials to restore your teeth.
During mercury amalgam removal treatment, we will safely extract the metal filling and assess the condition of your tooth. We then refill the cavity with a biocompatible material like composite resin. If you want to learn more about tooth-colored fillings or other forms of holistic dentistry, please contact our Vancouver, BC, office today. We are dedicated to providing safe, effective, and aesthetically pleasing dental care.
Composite fillings are made primarily from acrylic-based resin, offering a tooth-colored and natural-looking alternative for dental restoration. They can be applied quickly, making them a convenient option for many patients.
Composite fillings are more affordable than other dental materials, making them popular for restoring teeth affected by decay or damage. With proper care and maintenance, they typically last up to 10 years.
A porcelain filling is a custom-made restoration known for its durability, often lasting 15 years or longer. Porcelain is commonly used for inlays and onlays due to its natural-looking appearance, which blends seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. It is also highly resilient and strong, providing excellent support and functionality for chewing and biting.
Another benefit of porcelain fillings is their stain-resistant properties, helping to maintain a bright and natural smile over time. These qualities make porcelain fillings preferred for patients seeking long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing dental restorations.
Gold fillings, crafted from a blend of gold and other metals such as silver and copper, are renowned for their exceptional durability, often lasting 20 years or more. Beyond their longevity, gold fillings are favored for their aesthetic appeal, as they can complement the natural color of teeth and provide a distinct, polished look.
Gold fillings are highly biocompatible, meaning they are well-tolerated by the body and less likely to cause allergic reactions or adverse responses. These attributes make them a preferred choice for individuals seeking a durable, aesthetically pleasing dental restoration option.
After a thorough examination of your teeth to detect any cavities, we will proceed with scans and X-rays to accurately assess the extent of tooth decay. Based on our findings, we typically recommend minimally invasive fillings over dental crowns as the preferred treatment option for small cavities.
The procedure begins with applying a local anesthetic to ensure comfort during treatment. Next, we prepare the affected tooth by gently removing the decayed tissue while preserving healthy enamel. The area is then thoroughly cleaned to create a stable foundation for the filling.
We will then repair the small hole in the tooth using the restorative material of your choice. Once the tooth is restored to its proper shape, we will check your bite and make sure the tooth surface is smooth and polished.
Inlays and onlays are larger types of dental fillings that are pre-shaped to replace the damaged portion of a tooth. A dental inlay covers the grooves of the tooth’s biting surface, and a dental onlay extends further to cover the biting surface and the edges (cusps) of the tooth.
Inlays and onlays are often ideal for restoring a tooth when a traditional filling would be too little and a crown would be too much. As with filling placement, receiving an inlay or onlay isn’t painful, and the process can be completed in just one appointment here at our Vancouver office.
A dental crown covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, from the gumline to the chewing surface. This solution may be best if your cavity significantly alters your natural tooth structure.
Getting a dental crown isn’t all that more complex than getting a filling, especially at our practice. Why? Our very own CEREC® machine allows us to design and fabricate fully customized crowns in the office–often in as little as one visit.
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