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What You Need to Know About Tooth Fillings

Our team at the office of G.R. Sheumaker Jr., DDS offers a comprehensive range of dental services to help you take the best possible care of your teeth, and one of the most important of the treatments we offer is dental fillings. While brushing your teeth and flossing regularly can go a long way toward helping you prevent cavities, you may find yourself in need of a tooth filling someday even if you are diligent about dental hygiene. In this article, we’ll go over some key things you need to know about tooth fillings so you have an idea of what to expect.

  • What are tooth fillings used for? Tooth fillings are used to repair damaged teeth. Specifically, they are most commonly used as a treatment for tooth decay—the dentist removes decayed tooth enamel to preserve the rest of the tooth, and then replaces the enamel with a filling to keep the tooth strong and maintain the shape of your bite.
  • Why are tooth fillings necessary? Expanding on what we said above, tooth fillings are necessary to restore the shape of your teeth following damage and maintain the shape of your bite. With tooth fillings, you will be able to bite and chew as normal, rather than have to worry about normal eating breaking a weakened tooth.
  • What are tooth fillings made of? A variety of materials can be used to make tooth fillings. In the past, most fillings were made of gold or a silver amalgam. While these materials made for strong fillings, they stood out against the natural color of the teeth, which many people found to be a drawback. These days, fillings can also be made of tooth-colored resin to preserve the natural look of your smile.