Dental Fillings — The Best Solution for Tooth Restoration

Enjoy a More Natural Smile with Composite Dental Fillings

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic health conditions. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent it, and in cases where decay is unavoidable, a dental filling is an affordable, natural-looking, and safe solution. Not only are our fillings at Furrow Family Dentistry some of the most aesthetic restorations available today, but they are strong and long-lasting as well.

At Furrow Family Dentistry in Johnston, IA, we rely on high-quality materials, the latest technology, and advanced techniques to create long-lasting restorations for our patients. Our goal is to create virtually undetectable restorations. We use tooth-colored fillings as restorations when our patients have:

• Tooth decay
• Chipped teeth
• Erosion/Abfraction lesions

How do I know if I need a filling?

If you are experiencing discomfort in your teeth, you may have a cavity that might need a dental filling. Tooth sensitivity is an effective indicator of decay or fracture. When you come in for an evaluation, Dr. Emily or Dr. Derek will direct you to the appropriate dental treatment for your situation. We typically recommend fillings to restore teeth that have cavities, minor chips/fractures, and abfraction or erosion lesions.

Cavity Prevention — What can I do to prevent the need for a filling?

The best way to fight cavities and maintain healthy gums and teeth is to keep up on your daily habit of proper oral hygiene. Here are 5 ways to ward off tooth decay and prevent cavities:

• Come in to our office for regular exams and cleanings.
• Develop the habit of flossing every night.
• Brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste.
• Use an antibacterial and/or fluoridated mouth-rinse.
• Drink more water and cut back on sugary and acidic drinks.
• Limit frequency of snacking.

Dental Fillings—The Process

The procedure for placing a composite resin dental filling is a routine treatment that we do every day at Furrow Family Dentistry. Here’s how it works:

1. Dr. Emily or Dr. Derek will isolate the tooth from saliva to keep it dry.
2. Any decay is removed.
3. An etchant and a bonding agent are applied, followed by the composite resin.
4. A special light is used to harden each layer of composite resin material.
5. After the tooth is filled, the composite resin is shaped to resemble a natural tooth.
6. Finally, the restoration is smoothed and polished to accommodate your bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between composite and silver fillings?

Composite fillings are tooth-colored restorations that blend naturally with your smile and are bonded to your tooth. Silver fillings, also called amalgam fillings, have been used for decades and contain a mixture of metals.

Are white fillings safe?

Yes. Tooth-colored composite restorations are considered safe, durable, and highly esthetic for restoring cavities and damaged teeth.

Should I replace my old silver fillings?

Not necessarily. Dr. Derek Furrow and Dr. Emily Furrow evaluate existing fillings individually and typically recommend replacement only when signs of leakage, wear, cracking, or recurrent decay are present. If that is something you want to explore, Dr. Derek and Dr. Emily can talk to you about how to safely remove them and replace them with different materials.

Why do patients choose tooth-colored fillings?

Many patients in Johnston and the surrounding Des Moines area prefer tooth-colored fillings because they blend naturally with their teeth and often require less removal of tooth structure. Our doctors at Furrow Family Dentistry can go in depth on why composite is a great filling choice for many patients.

What’s the difference between a filling and an onlay?

A filling does what it says it does—it is filling in a cavity, a hole that has been created by decay or trauma, essentially restoring normal tooth anatomy. When we create a filling from composite resin, we select the proper shade of the material so that it blends naturally with your surrounding tooth structure. The result is a practically invisible restoration.

Onlays are used when the damage or decay to a tooth requires more than a filling—but less than a crown. In other words, if your tooth does not have enough tooth structure for a filling but it is not so severely damaged that it warrants a crown, you may be an excellent candidate for an onlay.

Made of ceramic, an onlay is crafted by our expert dentists using our E4D software, milled, and then cemented onto the tooth.  An onlay covers the top chewing surface of the tooth. We use ceramic because it very closely mimics enamel and offers strength and security.

What are composite resin fillings and restorations?

Composite resin fillings are the most common alternative to dental amalgam. They are sometimes called “tooth-colored” or “white” fillings because of their color. Composite resin fillings are made of an acrylic resin reinforced with powdered glass filler. Composite resin is often placed in layers to build up the final restoration, then cured with a special blue light. The color (shade) of composite resins can be customized to closely match surrounding teeth. Composite contains no metal and can be shaped to resemble a natural tooth. It is usually hard to tell that a tooth has even been filled!

Composite resin fillings have several advantages. The “white” color is preferred by many patients due to its ability to blend in with surrounding teeth. It is also possible to make more conservative preparations when using composite material, thus enabling the dentist to preserve more natural tooth structure.

What’s wrong with metal/amalgam fillings?

In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, composite fillings are completely safe and non-toxic. However, some believe that none of these advantages ring true for metal fillings. Some research suggests that amalgam fillings—made with mercury, silver, tin, copper and other metals—may lead to health problems.

The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs has concluded that both amalgam and composite materials are considered safe and effective for tooth restoration.

We are excited to be able to restore decayed teeth to their optimal appearance and function with fillings, onlays, and crowns. At Furrow Family Dentistry, we use dental fillings to help adult and pediatric patients preserve their healthy, beautiful teeth and avoid additional damage.

The result of high-quality composite fillings is a beautiful, healthy smile. For more information about our dental fillings, call our office today! Furrow Family Dentistry Office Phone Number (515) 253-0405