Dental Fillings In Silver Spring & Germantown, MD
Dental fillings are used to fill the tooth when it has broken, or when part of the tooth has been removed due to decay. They can restore the natural look and function of the teeth while preventing decay from spreading. At R3 Dental Group, we offer fillings and other dentistry services to patients located in Silver Spring, Germantown, Frederick, and the surrounding areas of Maryland.
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Traditional Fillings
Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, are most often made of silver amalgam. The strength and durability of this traditional dental material make it useful for situations where restored teeth must withstand extreme forces that result from chewing, often in the back of the mouth.
Composite Fillings
Newer dental fillings include ceramic and plastic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins, are usually used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important, but they can also be used on the back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay.
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What Type Of Filling Is Right For Me?
Several factors influence the performance, durability, longevity, and expense of dental restorations, including:
- The components used in the filling material.
- The amount of tooth structure remaining.
- Where and how the filling is placed.
- The chewing load that the tooth will have to bear.
- The length and number of visits needed to prepare and adjust the restored tooth.
Before your treatment begins, your doctor will discuss with you all of your options and help you choose the best filling for your particular case. In preparation for this discussion, it may be helpful to understand the two basic types of dental fillings — direct and indirect
Types of Fillings
Direct Fillings
Direct fillings are fillings placed into a prepared cavity in a single visit. They include silver amalgam, glass ionomers, resin ionomers, and composite (resin) fillings. The dentist prepares the tooth, places the filling, and adjusts it in one appointment.
Indirect Fillings
Indirect fillings like inlays, onlays, and veneers need several visits and are used for teeth too damaged for a regular filling but not for a crown. Made from materials like gold or ceramics, the process involves tooth preparation, impression-taking, and temporary covering. Later, the dentist fits the lab-crafted restoration.
If you are in need of a dental filling, there are a number of options available to you at R3 Dental Group. Our fillings are tailored to each patient depending on their specific needs contact us to learn more about fillings or to schedule an appointment. We welcome patients from Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington, D.C.