For more information about dental veneers, dental implants, dentures, Invisalign®, or other treatments in Maryland, Washington, DC, or Virginia, contact us today.
Martin G. Abel, D.D.S.
Shannon E. Abel, D.D.S.
and Associates
11404 Old Georgetown Rd.
Rockville, Maryland 20852
Phone: 301.770.1447
Cavities are sometimes an unavoidable side-effect of eating, even though flossing and brushing are powerful tools of prevention. When cavities do occur, they need to be treated immediately, or they can lead to more painful and severe dental complications. In the past, silver amalgam was used to fill in cavities, but composite resin fillings are now preferred by dentists nationwide. We at Smiles by Design are proud to offer these tooth-colored fillings to our clientele in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia.
If you have cavities and are looking for a great treatment that leaves your teeth healthy and beautiful, contact our cosmetic dentistry office to discuss tooth-colored fillings with our dentists. Tooth-colored fillings are:
Once our dentists have identified a cavity that has only mild to moderate decay, a tooth-colored filling will probably be chosen to treat the affected tooth. (Heavy damage may have to be fixed with a crown or other treatment.)
The tooth is cleared of any damaged areas and then isolated to eliminate moisture. After the tooth is dry enough to ensure a good bond, the filling is applied to the cavity. This seals off vulnerable parts of the tooth from any further decay and helps the tooth to withstand the stress of chewing.
With the filling applied and already bonding to the tooth, a special light is used to harden the material. At this point, the dentist will file it down to create the best possible bite. The entire process can take around an hour for one tooth, but the filling can last for five to ten years barring any unforeseen damage.
After a filling has been placed, the tooth may be more sensitive to heat and cold for a few weeks. A patient might also feel some pain when applying pressure to the new filling in the days after the treatment. These are usually only temporary side effects, however, with the majority of patients not even noticing their tooth-colored fillings after a while.
The preferred way to treat cavities is to prevent them from occurring in the first place by brushing, flossing, and having regular professional cleanings. Contact our cosmetic dentistry office today to set up a cleaning with our dental professionals. If a minor-to-moderate cavity does manifest itself, we can provide you with state-of-the-art tooth-colored fillings at our Maryland practice.