In the dental restoration process, there are a lot of procedures you may hear about, whether you end up needing them or not. There are many different types of restorations your teeth may need to undergo in order to restore your healthy beautiful smile. One of those restorations is dental fillings.
What are fillings?
Fillings are resin composite or metal composites which are filled into a drilled hole in a damaged tooth. They can be matched to your natural tooth color for a seamless look that nobody can tell is even present in your mouth
Why do we get fillings?
Fillings can be given for several reasons. First, and probably most common is for filling cavities- weak damaged spots in the teeth- that could cause further damage if not repaired. That damage can include a root canal or even a lost tooth, so it’s important to get fillings as your dentist recommends.
Another reason you may need a filling is to repair a chipped or cracked tooth. This is done with a resin composite filling and can be applied to the tips of the teeth if necessary.
What is the difference between the types of fillings?
When it comes to fillings there are several different types of fillings you can get. The first type is called an inlay. This is when the cavity in your tooth is inside the tooth on the chewing surface. Dr. Mingus simply drills into the tooth, removes the damaged areas, and fills in the gap with the composite of choice.
Conversely, an onlay is a filling attached to the tooth when a regular inlay filling is not big enough but a crown is not required. A crown is a deluxe filling where much of the outside of the tooth is removed and covered with a prosthetic porcelain tooth that is made in the shape of your original tooth. A crown looks and feels just like a natural tooth.
No matter what kind of cosmetic restoration you need, Dr. Mingus will take great care to match your composite color to your natural teeth and create a look that helps to restore your beautiful, healthy looking smile.