Dental Fillings
Your confident smile is our goal. To get it you’ll need healthy teeth and healthy gums, and you’ll need a dentist with cosmetic dentistry expertise – to get the shape, position, and color of your teeth just right for you. Whether you need porcelain veneers or a full-mouth restoration, Dr. Forbes and the team at Capital Dental Design in Richmond can help you every step of the way.
Dental Fillings in Richmond, VA
There are three primary treatment choices for teeth with significant decay: composite fillings, crowns, and inlays/onlays. Crowns are used when most of the tooth has been damaged. The damaged parts of the tooth are removed by the dentist, and then shaped to allow for a porcelain crown to be placed on top of it, so that the mouth’s appearance and the ability to chew food are maintained. At Capital Dental Design, crowns are always an option, but our goal is always to protect and maintain as much of the original tooth structure as is possible.
When the amount of tooth-damage is somewhere between minimal and maximum decay, inlays and onlays are the ideal choice. As with crowns, they are created in a dental lab to fit the size of the holes that need addressing and are specifically shaped for your tooth. As with fillings, they allow for the bulk of the tooth structure to be maintained.
Composite fillings are recommended when tooth decay is only in the initial stage. The filling is put into a newly drilled and properly cleaned cavity, and then a layer is used to dry it. It is necessary for fillings to be small, because when fillings are too large, they can crack, which can unfortunately lead to a root canal. At Capital Dental Design, we strictly use cosmetic restorations, which are made of composite resin and are designed to match the natural color of your teeth. This material also has fewer health risks than other filling materials and will increase the overall strength of your teeth.
To learn more about dental fillings, please refer to the following, or schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve patients throughout Richmond and the surrounding area, including neighborhoods like Southampton, Stratford Hills, Westover Hills, Bon Air, Libbie and Grove, Church Hill, The Fan, Westham, Museum District, and Mooreland Farms.
At Capital Dental Design, we are committed to providing you with effective, considerate care and helping you get the bright, beautiful smile you have always wanted!
Your smile is a reflection of your personality. Call capital dental design Today.
804.320.8894
Dental Filling Process
The dental filling process will begin with an initial consultation, during which Dr. Forbes will evaluate and scan your mouth to determine if dental fillings are the right treatment option for you. If so, Dr. Forbes will remove damaged tissue. Next, the space is filled with layer after layer of composite material that matches the color of your tooth, and each layer is hardened with a curing light until the filling is in place. Next, the outer surface is trimmed, and the tooth polished to create a beautiful sparkle.
Although the dental filling process is generally painless, a local anesthetic and/or dental sedation is available to ensure you experience minimal discomfort and are able to remain relaxed while the procedure is performed.
Advantages of Dental Fillings
There are several unique and important advantages to dental fillings, which include the following:
- Dental fillings correct numerous problems at once, eliminating the time and expense that would be necessary for multiple cosmetic treatments.
- Composite filings are designed to match your natural smile, and unlike metal fillings, composite fillings do not show through your teeth.
- Composite fillings are very durable and will restore your function, strengthen your teeth, and reduce your risk of developing additional issues.
- Composite fillings require less dental tissue to be removed, which reduces your risk of suffering structural damage or cracks in the future.
- Placement of the fillings will cause little to no discomfort.
- Unlike metal fillings, which expand and contract and can weaken your teeth, composite fillings are stable and will not increase your risk of weakened teeth or other health problems.
We Create Confident Smiles
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Aftercare Instructions
Fortunately, you will not have to follow special aftercare instructions following placement of your dental fillings, although it may be possible that the reason the dental filling was necessary in the first place is that you have not been taking proper care of your oral health. Make a habit of brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily and follow a balanced diet that is not overloaded with foods that are sugary or acidic. Additional steps you can take include drinking more water, especially after every meal and using a mouthwash and/or fluoride toothpaste.
Finally, the most important step you can take to preserve your oral health and avoid the need for procedures like dental fillings is to schedule a regular examination with us at least twice a year, or with greater regularity if you are at an increased risk of developing oral health issues. These visits ensure that Dr. Forbes can evaluate your oral health and identify issues before they develop into something worse. They also allow us to perform one of our three types of dental exams: a limited exam (for specific concerns), comprehensive exam (thorough examination of your overall oral health followed by treatment recommendations), or our signature exam, which includes the comprehensive exam as well as a full head and neck exam and ideas for a Digital Smile Design.
Cost of Dental Fillings
Several factors will determine the total cost of your dental fillings, such as the number of fillings necessary, what type of filling material is used, if dental sedation is necessary, and whether the procedure is covered (and if so, how much) by your dental insurance plan. Prior to scheduling any procedure, we will discuss the anticipated costs, verify your benefits (if applicable) to determine out-of-pocket costs, and answer any questions you may have about billing.
If you are not covered under a dental insurance plan, or if you are simply interested in saving money, consider joining the Capital Dental Design Membership Plan. Although we make every effort to keep our services affordable for all patients, joining our membership plan allows us to save you even more money by covering the cost of preventive care such as cleanings, exams, and routine x-rays. We also offer discounts of 10-15% on other dental services offered at our clinic. To learn more about our membership plan, payment options, or anticipated costs, contact our office today!
If you have not joined us as a patient yet and/or if you would like to schedule an appointment to determine whether dental fillings are right for you, contact us today online or call us directly at (804) 320-8894.