Dental Fillings in Watsonville, CA

Dental fillings are commonly used to seal cavities and prevent further spread of bacteria to the tooth root. Our dental experts at Watsonville Family Dental explain what fillings are, how they help and why you shouldn’t hesitate to get one.

What Dental Fillings Do

When decay attacks a tooth, it erodes the tooth enamel and leaves behind a hole or cavity. If left untreated, the cavity will spread to the tooth pulp and infect the nerves, resulting in extensive treatment or extraction.

The dentist will first drill away the decayed material from the tooth and insert a filling to seal the space. We will mold the filling to fit the cavity, and the filling eventually replaces the material that has been drilled out.

Dental fillings in Watsonville, CA restore strength and integrity to the tooth and prevent decay from re-entering the vulnerable site. Our skillful dentists near you use fillings made from composite resin and silver amalgam to revitalize the tooth.

How Our Dentists at Watsonville Family Dental Insert Them

First, the dentist will use local sedation to numb the gums, tooth and jaw surrounding the area. After drilling away decayed material, they will insert the filling. The method used to insert the filling depends on the type of dental filling used for your requirement.

Composite Resin

Composite resin fillings are inserted in layers, and they are in paste form at this stage. Once the dentist molds them to fit the cavity, they will harden it using a special light. With daily brushing and flossing, dental fillings can last for up to 15 years.

However, with poor oral hygiene, the fillings may deteriorate much faster. Composite resin fillings near you are safe and match natural tooth color and appear more aesthetic than amalgam fillings.

Amalgam

Amalgam fillings are prepared using a mixing machine and are compacted into the cavity until the bite feels comfortable. Nowadays, these fillings are not as commonly used as composite resin, as they contain trace amounts of mercury.

Skillfully placed dental fillings prevent tooth nerves and blood vessels from becoming exposed to potential infection and decay.