Plenty of us remember the days of fillings that were shockingly metallic and stood out when people laughed, spoke or - well, opened their mouths. For those who go to the dentist because they have have concerns that they may have a bit of decay, here’s the good news: fillings don’t have to stand out.

In fact, more often than not, fillings these days are made to blend in with the tooth that they repair. When you see the dentist and know that you need to have a bit of work done, talk about what you want your smile to be like; chances are good that rather than having fillings that stand out, the dentist can use natural looking, “tooth-colored” fillings.

Not only do these look better, but there may be other benefits as well. The greatest benefit is that the fillings actually bond to your teeth - not only do they fill in the decay and seal it off, but also they make your teeth stronger (for those who have lost fillings in the past, this is particularly good news).

Unfortunately, even with the best dental care - regular cleanings, dental check-ups and at home flossing and brushing routines - cavities can happen. Having them repaired doesn’t have to be difficult - and it doesn’t have to show.

If have a filling fitted either here at Wayzata Dental or at any other dentist, there is a chance that you will suffer from a toothache for a short time afterwards. The reason is that when the tooth is drilled and polished in preparation for the filling, the nerve often becomes irritated. The sensation is not pleasant, but will pass with time.

Filling material also has a role to play in irritation. If you have had significant irritation in the past, you would do best to inform us here at Wayzata Dental. The reason being that some filling materials, that are used for cosmetic purposes can exacerbate nerve irritation in some individuals. Some people find that ceramic fillings are aggravate the condition somewhat. For such people gold fillings tend to be the better alternative. Gold is an inert substance that does not react and thus does not add to the irritation following the procedure.

If you have concerns about your fillings or are experiencing toothaches after fillings, do not hesitate to contact us here at Wayzata Dental. A toothache in the week following the procedure is not uncommon, but if it goes on for longer than that, you should definitely get it checked out.

Fillings are used to treat cavities in the enamel of teeth. Cavities are a permanent problem, but are fillings a permanent solution. A single filling can have a very long lifespan, but you might be surprised that they are susceptible to some of the same problems as your teeth. Of course, fillings will not suffer from decay, but they can be damaged just like your regular teeth can. In some cases an injury or accident will cause a filling to become dislodged, in others they will simply be worn down with time. If you lose a filling, it is not the end of the world, but it is important that you come in to see us at Wayzata Dental as quickly as possible.

A lost filling can be replaced, and it should be replaced as quickly as possible. The longer it is out of your mouth, the greater the damage that will occur. Often when peoples’ fillings break, they suffer hypersensitivity to hot or cold. This can make eating incredibly painful. If you come into Wayzata Dental, we will likely take an X-Ray to determine the full extent of the damage and then get to work on your new filling.

Learn More About Fillings

Do you know what tooth enamel is, or why cavities in tooth enamel require fillings? If not, read on. Enamel is the hard outer part of your teeth. In fact, the enamel in our teeth is the hardest substance in our body. While most of the human body is made up water, enamel is almost entirely mineral.

As strong as enamel is, it is also quite brittle. This is why teeth tend to chip and break relatively easily. If the enamel breaks away or becomes damaged, it might expose underlying dentin or pulp and require restoration. If a large piece of enamel is broken off, then a crown is required. At this time the surviving enamel will be shaped to and a dental crown will be fitted to replace the missing enamel. Fillings are used to fill cavities or holes in your enamel that are caused by decay. As with broken teeth, decay exposes the more delicate parts of the tooth that the enamel protects. If fillings are not used then very severe dental problems can result.

If you have problems with your enamel and think that you might need a filling, or if you just want to have a dental checkup and professional cleaning, please feel free to schedule an appointment with us here at Wayzata Dental.

Do you think that you need fillings. Do you have damage to a tooth or teeth? Don’t put off going to a dentist any longer, make an appointment at Wayzata Dental and have the problem looked at. A lot of people delay dental treatment so long that their dental problems actually become worse than they would have been.

Small cavities can be treated with small fillings, larger cavities create much bigger problems. If you have a small cavity, your dentist will be able to treat it by removing a relatively small amount of enamel and filling it. A larger cavity will require more extensive treatment. A simple filling in some cases leaves a tooth structurally weak. A large cavity may require a crown. If you want to minimize the dental treatments that you need, the easiest way to start is by getting your cavities treated early. If you have dental problems, make an appointment with Wayzata Dental today.

Once you make an appointment and have your examination, your dentist will be able to give you a range of options. There are a number of types of filling material. Your dentist will help you choose the best material for your situation and budget. Then your cavity will be filled and your dental health restored. Don’t put it off any longer.

Learn More About Fillings

If your teeth have cavities, there are two basic ways that your dentist is likely to treat them, with fillings or with crowns. Fillings are used to treat minor cavities when a large part of the the tooth is healthy. Using fillings, your dentist will only have to remove a minimum amount of your tooth. The cavity can then be filled with one of a number of materials. With a small cavity there is no need for a crown, fillings are the better choice.

If you have a large cavity, fillings are a poor choice as they will leave your tooth structurally weaker. Crowns are therefore used for restoring large cavities. If you have a cavity or think that you might, why not schedule a dental checkup at Wayzata Dental?  Fast treatment of cavities can save you a lot of trouble further down the track.  Remember, if you have a cavity, it is not going to go away; it is only going to get bigger.   Quick treatment could mean that all you need is a simple filling.

Learn More About Fillings

A lot of people are concerned about the safety of dental amalgam fillings and crowns. The concern is that they might be harmful to health because they contain elemental mercury. Some people even go as far as having their fillings replaced. If you have dental amalgam fillings or crowns, then it is important to learn the facts.

It is a fact that dental amalgam fillings and crowns contain mercury. Dental amalgam is a combination that is usually made up of copper, mercury, silver and tin. As part of a combination of those metals, the mercury becomes considerably more stable than it would be on its own. The World Health Organization, United States Public Health Service, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration consider dental amalgam to be safe. It is generally accepted that people are exposed to a greater level of mercury in their daily lives.

If you are concerned about your dental amalgam fillings or crowns, why not talk to Wayzata Dental. They will be happy to give you informed advice and if necessary direct you to any literature that you require.

Learn More About Fillings and Crowns

As you may or may not know, there are a number of different options for materials when it comes to getting fillings. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you are in need of a filling, then it is very useful to understand the different materials that are used to fill dental cavities. If you need any more information regarding fillings or any other dental matter, you can always visit Wayzata Dental.

Amalgam is a relatively inexpensive combination metals that usually consists of copper, mercury, silver and tin. While many people have at times been uncomfortable with the use of mercury, in dental amalgam it is combined with other metals and is considered safe. The silver coloring makes it an unpopular choice for fillings on front teeth and the dentist must typically remove more of your tooth in order to fill the cavity.

Composite fillings have become quite popular. They are a quartz and resin combination that has a natural coloration. They have proved to be strong enough for most chewing tasks. They are more expensive than amalgam fillings, but are one of the more versatile natural colored fillings.

Glass ionomers have a very natural appearance; they are structurally weaker than the previously mentioned filling options. As a result, they tend to be used for teeth that are not used to apply heavy chewing pressure.

Learn More About Fillings