Some cavities require fillings. When you first begin a filling procedure, your mouth will be numbed to prevent you from feeling any pain or discomfort throughout the process. The dentist will remove the decayed part of your tooth and clean your tooth cavity to make sure there is no bacteria. Once this is done, layers of the filling will be placed and hardened in your cavity, and then shaped to blend in with your tooth.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings are similar to dental bonding in that both are made with composite resins that are soft, pliable and harden easily with a special light. They blend in with your existing teeth. Tooth-colored fillings are durable enough for the front and back teeth. These fillings typically last around 10 years before needing to be replaced. They have potential to last longer if taken care of properly, but will eventually become worn and need to be replaced to maintain the integrity of your teeth.

A crown is a cap or cover that a dentist places over your tooth, for reasons such as:
• A cavity that’s too large for a filling
• A cracked or severely worn-down tooth
• To cover a discolored or misshapen toon
• To protect a tooth after dental treatment, such as a root canal

The dentist will choose a crown made out of a material that will be sturdy and comfortable, depending on where you are needing the crown placed. Other factors to be considered when choosing a crown are the color of your teeth, how much of the tooth shows when you speak or smile, how your gum tissue is positioned as well as your personal preference.

How it works:

Placing a crown typically takes two dental visits. The dentist will prepare for a crown by removing the outer portion of your tooth to ensure the crown will fit in natural alignment with your other teeth. An impression will also be made to create an exact model for the crown, which also helps ensure the crown looks natural among your other teeth. During the first visit, you may receive a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready. Depending on how long it takes to be prepared, your permanent crown will be placed during your second dental visit.

Once the permanent crown is placed, necessary adjustments will be made until you are happy with the look and feel of it. We make sure that your crown is complete so that you’ll barely even notice it’s there.

Like other dental treatments, crowns do not last forever and will eventually need to be replaced. Until then, however, crowns should be taken care of to maintain their integrity. To prevent damage to your crown, you should regularly brush your teeth and floss, avoid biting down on hard foods, ice or other hard objects, and make sure to have regular check-ups with your dentist.