Fillings are used to restore teeth that have minor to moderate damage due to decay or trauma. If you have ever had cavities or decayed teeth, you’re probably familiar with them. About 92 percent of adults ages 20 to 64 have had at least one cavity. Our team will first examine your teeth and form a treatment plan that may include fillings. We will anesthetize/numb tooth/teeth being filled so you should not feel anything but some pressure and vibration during the procedure. During the filling process, we remove the decayed area, find a healthy tooth structure, clean the area, and fill in the void.
Fillings help teeth remain durable and functional. At Carolina Family Dentistry, we mostly use tooth-colored fillings that match your tooth color and are shaped to the contours of your teeth. Depending on the size and patient risk factors (family history, diet, habits, etc.), these composite resin fillings can last up to 10 years or more.
If you’re anxious about fillings or getting dental treatment in general, you are not alone. Ask us about sedation dentistry.
Crowns (aka caps) are full coverage restorations used when teeth have significant damage and are too weak or structurally compromised for fillings to work. Crowns return the functionality of your tooth and retain and even enhance normal shapes, sizes, and appearance. So, we use crowns to repair teeth when:
Bridges are used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The bridge has a false tooth or teeth connected and held in place by the adjacent teeth. It is highly recommended to replace missing teeth for many reasons, including your speech, chewing, the health of your gums and mouth, and to prevent the other teeth from drifting. There are different types of dental bridges; Dr. Banik will review your options with you based on your situation.
Post Care for Temporary Crowns and Bridges
After your procedure, you will have a temporary crown/bridge in place and you may experience some gum tenderness, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication as needed. If your temporary becomes loose or comes off at any time, please put it back in to place as best you can and call our office immediately. It is extremely important the temporary remains on the tooth; the tooth can begin shifting in a matter of hours. To avoid having your temporary crown/bridge come off, please avoid hard and chewy foods, including ice and gum. In addition, remember to floss around the temporary as instructed and contact the office if your bite feels uneven.
If you have questions about dental procedures, ask our team. We want you to feel comfortable and informed about your oral health.
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