Fillings Center - Altadena, CA
WebMD Physician DirectoryAltadena, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
2012-06-23
2012-06-30
2012-07-04
2012-07-04
2012-08-25
2012-08-25
2012-09-22
2012-09-30
2012-10-06
FillingsIntroductionTo treat a cavity your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decayed material once lived. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding ). What Steps Are Involved in Filling a Tooth? First, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth to be worked on with a local anesthetic. Next, a drill, air abrasion instrument or laser will be used to remove the decayed area. The choice of instrument depends on the individual dentist's comfort level, training, and investment in the particular piece of equipment as well as location and extent of the decay. Next, your dentist will probe or test the area during the decay removal process to determine if all the decay has been removed. Once the decay has been removed, your dentist will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the root, your dentist may first put in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in, your dentist will finish and polish it. Several additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings and are as follows. After your dentist has removed the decay and cleaned the area, the tooth-colored material is applied in layers. Next, a special light that "cures" or hardens each layer is applied. When the multilayering process is completed, your dentist will shape the composite material to the desired result, trim off any excess material and polish the final restoration. What Types of Filling Materials are Available? Today, several dental filling materials are available. Teeth can be filled with gold; porcelain; silver amalgam (which consists of mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper); or tooth-colored... Recommended Reading Related to FillingsWho Should Get Sealants?Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are obvious candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants. Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the dental sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14. In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth, such as when a child's baby teeth have deep depressions and grooves. Because baby teeth play such an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it is important to keep these teeth healthy so they are not lost too early. How Are Sealants Applied?Applying the sealant is a simple and painless process. It takes only a few m... Other Related Fillings ArticlesEmergency Contact for Altadena
Nearby Altadena Hospitals * Huntington Hospital  Aurora Las Encinas Hospital  Verdugo Hills Hospital  San Gabriel Valley Medical Center  Glendale Adventist Medical Center  Methodist Hospital  Alhambra Hospital Medical Center  City of Angels Medical Center Ingleside Campus  Garfield Medical Center  Glendale Memorial Hospital & Health Center  BHC Alhambra Hospital  Monterey Park Hospital  USC University Hospital  USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center  City of Hope National Medical Center  LAC + USC Medical Center  LAC + USC Medical Center Women's & Children's Hospital  Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Center  Barlow Respiratory Hospital  Pacific Alliance Medical Center  Kaiser Mental Health Center  White Memorial Medical Center  Greater El Monte Community Hospital  Childrens Hospital Los Angeles  Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center  Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles  Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center  East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital  Temple Community Hospital  St Vincent Medical Center  Beverly Hospital  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Baldwin Park  Good Samaritan Hospital  Los Angeles Community Hospital  Shriners Hospitals for Children Los Angeles  Vista Specialty Hospital of San Gabriel Valley  Hollywood Community Hospital  California Hospital Medical Center  Doctor's Hospital West Covina  Orthopaedic Medical Center  Citrus Valley Medical Center Queen of the Valley Campus  Kindred Hospital San Gabriel Valley  Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center  Community Hospital of Huntington Park  VA Greater Los Angeles HealthCare System  Citrus Valley Medical Center Inter Community Campus  Foothill Presbyterian Hospital  East Valley Hospital Medical Center  Pacifica Hospital of the Valley  Olympia Medical Center  Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital  Miracle Mile Medical Center  Cedars-Sinai Medical Center  Aurora Charter Oak Hospital  Downey Regional Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center  Whittier Hospital Medical Center  Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center  Hollywood Community Hospital of Van Nuys  San Dimas Community Hospital  St Francis Medical Center  Sherman Oaks Hospital  Metropolitan State Hospital  Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center  Mission Community Hospital  Brotman Medical Center  Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital  Valley Presbyterian Hospital  Martin Luther King Jr MAC Service Center  Norwalk Community Hospital  Kindred Hospital Los Angeles  Kindred Hospital La Mirada  Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Fillings by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
5 articles-
Toothache
- Toothache usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth or jaw problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, gum disease, disease of the jaw joint (TMJ), or spasms of the muscles used for chewing. A toothache can also be caused by a problem that does not originate from a tooth or the jaw, like diseases of the heart (angina or heart attack), ear infections, and sinus infections. A thorough oral examination, which includes dental X-rays, can help determine the cause.
-
Gum Disease
- Gum disease is caused by plaque and may result in tooth loss without proper treatment. Symptoms and signs of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontal disease) include receding gums, bad breath and pocket formation between the teeth and gums. Treatment depends upon the stage of the gum disease, how you responded to earlier treatments, and your overall health.
-
Dental Injuries
- Dental injuries range from a chipped or fractured tooth to a knocked out tooth. Treatment depends upon the severity of the dental injury. Dental injuries may be prevented by aligning protruding front teeth with braces and using face masks and mouthguards while playing sports.
-
Cavities
- Learn more about what cavities like, their symptoms, treatment and prevention. See how tooth decay, plaque and bacteria contribute to the creation of cavities and how regular brushing and flossing can help.
-
Oral Health Problems in Children
- Oral health problems in children include thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking, tooth decay, and early tooth loss. Get tips on how to prevent these problems in your child.
-
Toothache
-
Medications
0 articles -
Procedures & Tests
6 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
1 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
1 articles -
Health News
4 articles -
Health Features
1 articles
