Need a cavity filled in Cary, NC?

Dental fillings are not permanent and may need to be replaced over time. Depending on the type of filling, the amount of wear and tear your teeth experience, and the type of material used in the filling, you may need to have it replaced every five to fifteen years. Your dentist will be able to assess the condition of the filling and determine if it needs to be replaced. It is important to have regular dental checkups so your dentist can monitor the condition of your fillings. If a filling needs to be replaced, the old material will be removed and a new one placed in its place. Just like other dental treatments, the cost of a filling will depend on the complexity of the procedure and type of material used. Be sure to ask your dentist for information about the cost of the procedure and any insurance coverage you may have.

Dentists typically use a variety of materials to fill cavities and restore teeth. These materials, such as amalgam, composite resin, and glass ionomer, can be chosen depending on the individual case. Amalgam is a silver-colored metal alloy that has been used for many years to treat cavities. It is very strong and durable, and it can last for many years in the mouth with proper care. However, due to safety issues, this material is not used at Stanley Dentistry. Composite resin is a tooth-colored material that is used to fill cavities and restore the shape of teeth. It bonds directly to the tooth, making it an ideal choice for cosmetic dental treatments. Glass ionomer is a special type of cement that releases fluoride, which can help to protect the teeth from decay. It is often used to fill cavities in children and can be matched to the color of their natural teeth.

In the last few decades, dentists have exchanged the old method of using amalgam fillings (metal fillings) for more realistic composite, tooth-colored fillings. If you get a new filling, you’ll most likely get a composite filling but there are still millions of people who have old amalgam fillings.These fillings work fine but a lot of our patients find them unsightly. If they want, we can remove the old filling and place a tooth-colored filling instead. However, if the old filling is intact and in good condition, insurance will not cover a replacement. Replacing an amalgam filling for a composite filling is considered cosmetic.

Insurance will, in many cases, cover a portion of the cost of fillings. Typically, it’s about a 60% coverage rate if the policy-owner has paid their deductible. Of course, this depends on your specific plan. During your consultation, we will give you a free insurance check to see what your insurance will and won’t cover.

If a filling falls out, you will undoubtedly notice. Not only will you have the physical filling as proof, but you’ll also have an exposed nerve that will feel just as painful as it sounds. If this happens, make an appointment with your dental specialist immediately.In other cases, fillings wear out or crack. Patients don’t always notice when these things happen because they don’t leave the tooth completely exposed (so there typically isn’t a lot of pain). If a filling cracks, you may experience some hot and cold sensitivity but chances are, you won’t know what’s wrong until you visit your dentist. That’s why it’s best to see one of our doctors every six months so they can diagnose any latent filling problems.

Unfortunately, fillings don’t last forever. Fillings typically last around five to ten years though some patients keep their fillings for fifteen to twenty years. The size of the filling is perhaps the biggest factor when considering how long it’ll last. Large fillings have a much higher likelihood of falling out whereas small fillings can frequently last for decades.

No one wants to hear that they have a cavity. For kids (and parents), “cavity” sounds like a death sentence, and “filling” signifies a long, painful, and expensive procedure. Luckily, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In most cases, cavities require only a short, pain-free appointment to our office in Cary, North Carolina.During a cavity filling, our dentists administer a local anesthetic to numb the affected area. They then use a small drill to remove the decay from the tooth and kill any existing bacteria. Once the tooth is ready, the dentist places the filling.At Stanley Dentistry, we typically use a composite resin material for the filling. Composite fillings are tooth-colored and look just like natural teeth. During the procedure, one of our dentists will place the composite (which looks like a paste) into the cleaned cavity. The composite will naturally take on the shape of the cavity as the dentist places it. After the cavity is filled, the dentist will use an ultraviolet light to “cure” (or harden) the composite. Post-op, your dentist will ask you to bite down to make sure the cavity hasn’t affected your natural bite.

Our dentists use a local anesthetic to numb the area before completing the filling. This ensures that the patient is comfortable and pain-free for the entirety of the procedure. After the filling, most patients experience little to no discomfort and no downtime.