Fillings

To treat a cavity, the decayed portion of the tooth is removed and the area filled. Fillings also repair cracked or broken teeth, and teeth worn down by nail-biting or grinding. Teeth can be filled with gold, porcelain, silver amalgam, or composite resin.

Which is right depends on where the decay is and how far it has gone, the cost of the material, your insurance coverage, and the doctor's recommendation.

Composite fillings are made from durable plastics close in colour to natural teeth, so they are far less noticeable. Their most important advantage is that they bond to the tooth structure itself, and in many cases they can be repaired by adding more composite rather than being replaced.

Visit regularly for cleanings, brush with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily. If a tooth becomes extremely sensitive, you feel a sharp edge, you notice a crack, or a piece of a filling is missing, call us for an appointment rather than waiting.