Dental Fillings in Hampton, VA

Decay can destroy a tooth and will cause an infection if it is not treated. Cavities or holes in your teeth caused by tooth decay can occur when plaque turns to acid and attacks the tooth enamel. The acid eats away at the sugar in the foods you eat to create holes in the teeth. Plaque can also cause gum disease that leads to tooth loss.

What Are Fillings?

We use fillings to treat cavities. These restorations restore the form and function of your tooth by filling the holes caused by decay. For a natural result, we may recommend composite resin fillings. Composite resin is a tooth-colored material that looks like your natural enamel. It bonds to the tooth to fill and seal the cavity so that bacteria cannot enter the tooth’s structure.

If a tooth is severely damaged by decay, we may recommend an inlay or onlay to restore it. These restorations are custom fit to the shape of the tooth for improved support and function. Porcelain and composite material are used to make inlays and onlays. These are more durable and long-lasting than fillings.

Silver Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings are silver in color and are made from a mixture of metals, including mercury, tin, zinc, and copper. These metal materials expand and contract with changes in temperature, which can cause the filling to weaken over time. Patients may also experience tooth sensitivity due to the amalgam’s rough texture touching the other teeth. However, these fillings do provide a fairly strong and durable solution for cavities.

Composite Resin Fillings

Many Dentist Hampton, VA today recommend composite resin fillings as a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to metal fillings. Composite fillings are made from non-toxic synthetic materials and are shaded to match a patient’s smile color for a more natural look. Oral traumatic injuries can also sometimes be treated with composite fillings to restore teeth that have been chipped or cracked.

Porcelain Fillings

One of the most common types of fillings at our office is porcelain fillings. These restorations offer an effective and affordable option for restoring decayed areas of the tooth. They can easily be shaped to match the contours of the tooth, making them the ideal choice for patients who have small cavities to repair. They can also easily be colored to match the shade of the surrounding tooth enamel. With proper care, they can last for many years.

To find out more about the dental services offered we offer at Cheng Dental, call (757) 838-9140 or schedule a consultation online. You can also visit us at 21 Towne Centre Way, Hampton, VA 23666.