Make Teeth Look And Feel Natural Again.
Dental fillings are the most common procedure performed in our office. They repair and restore the tooth and help prevent painful decay or infection that would require more serious work. We use composite resin fillings that are color matched to your tooth.
Unlike amalgam (metal) fillings, tooth-colored composite resin bonds really well with the tooth and is capable of filling much smaller spaces, which means less drilling!
Why Are Fillings So Important?
The prospect of getting a filling can feel like a chore for many. You may find yourself putting it off or wondering why you need to have a filling in the first place, especially if your tooth doesn’t hurt (yet.)
Nonetheless, we strongly recommend you have your cavities filled at your earliest convenience, and here is why:
how is a cavity filled?
Gentle numbing
Before we begin, we will take the time to carefully numb your gums so we can gently use anesthetic in the area. People often feel anxious about this step. The anesthetic will numb your teeth and surrounding area so you barely feel a thing during the procedure.
filling the tooth
After we confirm that you’re comfortably numb, your tooth is carefully cleaned and prepped. An adhesive gel is placed on the affected tooth over which a composite resin (white filling material), or amalgam (metal filling material) will be moulded and sculpted to match your contours or bite.
curing the composite
If you've opted for the composite resin material, it will be quickly cured and hardened with a special LED light. The doctor will carefully examine your finished tooth and make any required finishing touches before giving it a final polish.
the cost of a filling in eugene
Fillings are so routine and such a great way to prevent and avoid dental problems that most insurance companies will provide significant coverage for them. With a typical insurance plan you could expect to pay anywhere from $0 to $100+. If you are without dental insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $300 and up, especially if you require multiple fillings at once.
When we determine the actual cost of your treatment we refer to a few important factors:
Filling cavities promptly is very important to us, as fillings are so effective at preventing more invasive treatments, preventing serious dental pain and keeping you as happy and healthy as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a normal, daily brushing and flossing routine, and regularly scheduled cleanings and checkups, fillings can last well over ten years!
Fillings used to be done with an alloy called ‘dental amalgam’ and had many nicknames such as “silver” and “mercury” fillings. While there is plenty of debate over the safety of amalgam fillings, according to the American Dental Association, scientific studies have not verified that dental amalgam is causing illness in the general population. So if you currently have silver fillings, don’t fear!
There are over-the-counter products available to temporarily fill a cavity or minor tooth damage until you can make it to the dentist, but they are not a permanent solution and cannot replace a professional filling.
A cavity is permanent tooth damage that must be cleaned, prepared and filled by a dental professional.
There are severe risks to letting dental decay continue to worsen. If left untreated, cavities can lead to tooth loss and tooth abscess.
If you are experiencing severe pain that prevents you from eating or sleeping, this is considered a dental emergency and we urge you to call us right away. We can give you advice over the phone and see you as soon as possible.
For temporary relief of toothache, apply a cold compress to your face over the painful area. You may be able to take the edge off your pain by taking a pain reliever like acetaminophen (ex. Tylenol) or ibuprofen (ex. Advil).
Always follow the advice of your doctor and read the instructions on the bottle when taking any medication. Make a note of what medication, how much and the time it was taken so you can let us know when you come in.
