Fillings Center - The Colony, TX
WebMD Physician DirectoryThe Colony, TexasUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
2012-06-03
2012-06-16
2012-06-17
2012-06-17
2012-06-27
2012-08-06
2012-08-12
2012-11-03
2012-11-11
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 The Colony
Nearby The Colony Hospitals * Baylor Medical Center at Frisco  Regency Hospital of North Dallas  Presbyterian Hospital of Plano  Trinity Medical Center  LifeCare Hospitals of Plano  Centennial Medical Center  Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano  Medical Center of Lewisville  Plano Specialty Hospital  HEALTHSOUTH Plano Rehabilitation Hospital  Medical Center of Plano  Methodist Richardson Regional Medical Center  RHD Memorial Medical Center  Denton Regional Medical Center  Irving Coppell Surgical Hospital  Presbyterian Hospital of Allen  Green Oaks Hospital  Las Colinas Medical Center  Medical City Children's Hospital  Medical City Hospital  Medical Center of McKinney  Kindred Hospital Dallas  Medical Center of McKinney Wysong Campus  Kindred Hospital Walnut Hill  Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas  Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine  Baylor Medical Center at Garland  Baylor Specialty Hospital Garland  Children's Medical Center of Dallas  Texas Specialty Hospital at Dallas  Presbyterian Hospital of Denton  Baylor Medical Center at Irving  LifeCare Specialty Hospital of Dallas  UT Southwestern Medical Center University Hospital St Paul  UT Southwestern Medical Center  Baylor Medical Center at Trophy Club  Parkland Health & Hospital System  UT Southwestern Medical Center University Hospital Zale Lipshy  Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake  Kindred Hospital White Rock  Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children  Mary Shiels Hospital  Baylor Specialty Hospital  Baylor University Medical Center  Baylor Jack & Jane Hamilton Heart & Vascular Hospital  Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation  Timberlawn Mental Health System  Harris Methodist HEB Hospital  Harris Methodist Springwood  Methodist Dallas Medical Center  Lake Pointe Medical Center  Southwest Surgical Hospital  Renaissance Hospital Dallas  North Hills Hospital  Dallas Regional Medical Center  Kindred Hospital Arlington  Millwood Hospital  Texas Health Memorial Hospital at Arlington  Arlington Rehabilitation Hospital  Dallas VA Medical Center  HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Arlington  Medical Center of Arlington  Methodist Charlton Medical Center  Methodist Rehabilitation Hospital  Select Specialty Hospital South Dallas  USMD Hospital at Arlington  Hickory Trail Hopsital 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
