Dental Fillings – Houston | 77090
White Dental Fillings in Houston
If you or your child has a cavity, our North Houston dentist will treat the decay while it’s small, before it can spread into other areas of your mouth. Since tooth decay is a bacterial infection, it can “jump” to adjacent teeth or even affect developing adult teeth that are under primary (baby) teeth.
Advantages of White Restorations
Composite fillings are:
Minimally Invasive to Your Teeth — Composite bonds naturally to your tooth enamel, so that it doesn’t have to be wedged into the tooth the way conventional silver fillings do. This characteristic means that we can place white fillings on smooth surfaces and use them to replace unsightly metal restorations.
Custom Matched to Your Smile — White fillings come in a variety of shades and hues. We select a color that matches your natural enamel, so that your filling isn’t visible after we’ve placed it.
Free of Mercury — Since white fillings are made of small particles of glass and other tooth-colored materials, there’s no need to have an alloy of metals (such as mercury) inside of them. Not only does this make them more aesthetically pleasing, but they’re also safer for your body.
Do I Have a Cavity?
Tooth decay isn’t always noticeable. While some teeth may feel sensitive, cavities can pop up unexpectedly and you may never realize there’s a problem until we spot them on your X-rays.
Some of the symptoms of tooth decay include:
- Sensitivity to different temperatures of foods, or sweets
- Rough or sharp edges that you can feel with your tongue
- Pain when you’re biting down or eating
- Floss shredding when you clean between teeth
- Food getting caught between teeth when you eat
- Discoloration or dark spots on your tooth
What to Expect During Your Filling Appointment
North Houston Dentistry wants everyone to feel comfortable when they’re visiting our office. Dr. Bastani will gently numb your tooth so that you don’t experience any discomfort during your filling appointment. Next, we’ll remove the decayed portion of your tooth and then prep it for a filling to be bonded in place. Finally, we’ll select the appropriate shade of composite and form it into the prepped area, then use a bright light to cure the soft material into a solid state.
It can take a few hours for your anesthetic to wear off, so be sure to avoid eating on that side of your mouth for the rest of the day.
Should I Fill My Tooth?
Tooth decay can’t reverse itself or heal on its own. An active cavity will worsen and spread into the tooth nerve or adjacent teeth, requiring additional treatments. In nearly all cases, Dr. Bastani recommends treating the cavity while it’s small. Not only does this ensure a less-invasive restoration, it keeps the overall costs of your dental treatment as low as possible.
Call Our North Houston Dentist
North Houston Dentistry provides comprehensive family dental care for patients of all ages. If you’re looking for a convenient provider for yourself or your children, give us a call!
