Fillings in Salinas, CA
A filling is a way to restore a decayed tooth back to its normal shape and function.
If you have a tooth that requires a filling, Dr. Chao or Dr. Bui will first remove the decayed tooth material, then clean the affected area and fill the cleaned-out cavity with a filling material to help prevent further decay. The decay is prevented by closing off any cracks or spaces where bacteria might enter.
Tooth colored resins, or tooth colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture and look more natural. They can be used on either front or back teeth. Additionally, because they are bonded to the tooth structure they work to reinforce the filled tooth better than metal fillings do. For these reasons, we exclusively use tooth colored materials at Salinas Valley Dental Care when restoring teeth with fillings.
Our team will work with you to determine which tooth filling material is best for you, depending on the extent of repair, the location of the filling and the cost. Each of the filling materials is briefly explained below:
Composite (plastic) resin fillings are custom-made to the exact color of the patient's teeth, creating a more natural appearance. While these white fillings may be less noticeable than other materials, they usually only last between 3 and 10 years as they may chip or wear over time. They can also become stained from coffee, tea or tobacco.
Porcelain fillings, called inlays or onlays, are created in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth, making the filling nearly undetectable. They can be matched to the color of the tooth, they resist staining, and they cost about the same as gold fillings.
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