Category: San Diego Dentist Association

Gum Disease and Osteoporosis

Although research on the connection between gum disease and osteoporosis is somewhat limited, it indicates that post-menopausal women with osteoporosis have as much as an 85 percent chance of developing gum disease as well. Additionally, gum disease can certainly impact bone health by causing loss of jawbone – and it must be stopped to help maintain overall health.

Gum disease permanently destroys gums, the connective tissue that holds teeth in place and the jawbone. It’s the primary cause of tooth loss in the United States and many other nations. When a plaque in the mouth isn’t cleaned away, bacteria feed on it and cause inflammation and pockets between teeth and gums where even more bacteria can form. Eventually, all impacted gum tissue is destroyed, and so is the bone beneath.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease often associated with older women, but it can impact anyone. Symptoms are low bone mineral density and mass leading to fragile bones.

The Gums And Osteoporosis

Gum Disease and Osteoporosis

Periodontal (gum) disease is another concern when people have osteoporosis

Periodontal disease weakens the body, negatively impacting overall health. In addition, there are two primary ways that gum disease is directly linked with osteoporosis:

Estrogen deficiency. Estrogen levels drop as women go through menopause, and this increases the speed of bone loss throughout the body, including in the mouth. This can have an impact on the stability and viability of the gums and other tissue in the mouth.

Low bone mineral density. A primary symptom of osteoporosis is weak bones, meaning that it is even easier than normal for a person with gum disease to lose bone from the disease – because the bone is already negatively impacted by osteoporosis.

Diagnosis and Successful Treatment

Osteoporosis and gum disease are both treatable, so you should take action rather than worry. Both conditions are best treated early, but intervention can help at any time. Your doctor and your dentist may want to work together to help you keep the conditions in check. Some of the things your dental and medical team may do include:

Take digital dental x-rays. These images may be the best way for your dentist to understand the amount of bone loss in the jawbone and determine what actions are necessary to eliminate gum disease and treat the problems left behind.

Prescribe estrogen supplements. Your doctor may suggest supplementing your body’s natural estrogen with a prescribed product that can help reduce gum inflammation and help improve overall health so you can better fight off harmful bacteria.

Monitor risk factors. You may be at greater risk of gum disease and osteoporosis than the average person, and your dentist and doctor may begin monitoring you carefully before any signs or symptoms develop.

Reach out now to a San Diego Dentist Association member if you’d like to connect with a San Diego dentist who can help you navigate your unique challenges related to gum disease, osteoporosis, and more. It’s the right decision for your oral and overall health.

Gum Disease Types

For simplicity, we often use the term gum disease instead of its more precise name, periodontal disease. But this type of disease can impact more than just gums. When bacteria in plaque damage your gums, it’s possible that other tissue and even the jawbone can be impacted. Gum disease, in fact, is the leading tooth loss cause in U.S. adults, making this condition which sometimes has no early warning signs something you must watch for and get treated right away.

Periodontal disease happens when plaque on teeth isn’t cleaned away, allowing bacteria to multiply. Eventually, these bacteria infect gums, create deep pockets around teeth and destroy tissue. The body reacts as a whole as well. The deep pockets allow for even more bacteria – and even more problems, including tooth loss.

Types Of Gum Disease

Gum Disease Types

Gum Disease Types

There are several types of gum disease, each with its own symptoms. They all need the help of a dentist to cure, perhaps a San Diego Dentist Association member. As soon as your dentist has recognized the type of disease you have, a program of treatment can be established to prevent the disease from progressing and save as much of your gums, connective tissue, and jawbone as possible.

Here are some of the most frequently seen types of gum disease, along with information on how to detect them and how your San Diego dentist may treat each of them:

Gingivitis

This is gum disease in its mildest form and is how most severe forms of the disease begin. As bacteria in plaque attack the gums, inflammation and irritation may be noticed. It’s also possible you won’t notice anything at all. Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease that is often found in pregnant women, women who take birth control pills, people with uncontrolled diabetes, those taking steroids, and those on blood pressure or anti-seizure medications.

Treatment: When caught early, regular dental cleaning is often enough to remove bacteria and other contributors to gingivitis so that teeth aren’t damaged any further and gums can reattach to teeth and recover. The dentist who treats you for gingivitis will be careful to remove all debris from any pockets that exist, and you may be prescribed a medicated mouthwash and perhaps antibiotics make sure bacteria doesn’t return.

Chronic Periodontal Disease

Most commonly found in people who are age 45 and over, this is a widely experienced type of gum disease and can establish itself below the gum line, making it hard to detect and treat easily. When you experience chronic periodontal disease, it may appear that your teeth are actually getting longer, but in fact, your gums are receding and therefore getting shorter. For oral health, this recession must be stopped before there is significant tissue loss that can lead to loose teeth.

Treatment: Curing gum disease and restoring lost tissue is impossible. Gums that are lost cannot grow back, but proper treatment from your dental team can prevent additional damage. Treatment usually involves tooth scaling and planning to remove all the bacteria that are present and reduce rough surfaces on which it can build up. Antimicrobial treatments may be provided, including oral antibiotics and mouth rinses, and in some cases, pocket reduction surgery or tissue grafts may be necessary for successful treatment to keep teeth healthy and restore total oral health.

Aggressive Periodontal Disease

The thing that separates aggressive periodontal disease from other forms is how fast it advances. It involves the rapid loss of gums and other tissue and can lead quickly to bone loss and tooth loss. Because it moves very quickly, many who are not under the regular care of a dentist may not have time to respond before damage is done. This type of gum disease is most common in smokers and those who have a family history of aggressive periodontal disease.

Treatment: The methods of treatment for aggressive periodontal disease are very similar to the treatments recommended for chronic periodontal disease. In these cases, however, surgical options may be the best way to stop the progression of the disease so that overcoming its negative impacts is possible. Laser surgery is sometimes possible, reducing cutting and significantly reducing healing time as well. Antimicrobial products like oral antibiotics and mouth rinses may slow the disease progression rate and allow your dentist to save some impacted tissue.

Periodontal Disease In Connection With Systemic Disease

For some people, gum disease is a by-product of something else and connected with a serious ailment that their body is working to overcome. This other condition could be heart disease or stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease, cancer, or any other systemic disease. In these cases, there may not be a large buildup of plaque in the mouth, so you may not realize you have gum disease. Unfortunately, the other condition means that the periodontal disease could get worse more quickly.

Treatment: The underlying problem must be treated before or in conjunction with gum disease treatment to prevent it from becoming a chronic or aggressive problem. Treatments are similar to other kinds of gum disease.

Necrotizing Periodontal Disease

This form of gum disease is most frequent in people who have HIV or another immunosuppressive disease and in those who suffer from malnutrition. Smoking and chronic stress can cause necrotizing periodontal disease as well. While this type of gum disease is very rate, it leads to permanent death of gums, other tissues, and bone.

Treatment: Treating necrotizing gum disease must be done in consultation with the doctor treating the underlying condition and is often similar to treatments for other types of gum disease.

To find out if you are in danger of gum disease, reach out to San Diego Dentist right away.

Gum Disease Signs and Symptoms

Like most oral health conditions, gum disease gets worse if not treated by the right dentist and can lead to tooth loss. In fact, periodontal disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in American adults. When plaque builds up on teeth and gums, bacteria is present that can feed on sugars left in the mouth, and these bacteria continue to eat at gums until professionally treated. Starting as a condition called gingivitis, it can lead to advanced gum disease and bone loss.

While there are differences between the four primary types of periodontal disease – periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis, chronic periodontitis, and necrotizing periodontitis – there are common signs and symptoms that help a dentist make a gum disease diagnosis.

Gum Disease Signs and Symptoms

Gum Disease Signs and Symptoms

Gum Disease Signs and Symptoms

A big problem with diagnosing gum disease is that there are no obvious symptoms at first. That’s why regular dental visits are crucial to early diagnosis and treatment. Here are some signs and symptoms you may notice that could indicate gum disease that needs quick treatment:

Bleeding with no apparent cause. When your gums bleed simply from eating, brushing, or flossing, it isn’t normal or natural and should be considered a symptom of periodontal disease that needs to be treated. It may still be at an early stage.

Swelling, pain, and redness. When gums have any or all of these symptoms, gum disease is probably present. There’s no time to waste. It’s important to treat these signs of gum disease before the infection spreads throughout your body.

Teeth that look long. When teeth look longer than they used to, you may have already lost some of your gums, other soft tissue, or bone. Bacteria is the cause, and you must take quick action by seeing a well-trained dentist to treat the disease and keep it from progressing.

Bad breath. Technically called halitosis, bad breath is sometimes a sign of gum disease. It can be caused by bacteria and particles of food stuck in gum pockets, and there are other causes as well. The worse your gum disease is, the worse your breath will smell in many cases.

Bite changes or loose teeth. As gum disease advances, teeth can get noticeably loose as the gums and bones beneath are destroyed. One of the first signs of loose teeth could be changed in the way your teeth meet – called your bite.

The presence of pus. Pus is never a good thing, and pus present in your mouth is a sign of a serious periodontal condition. Pus is created as your body tried to fight off infection, so it’s a sure sign that significant bacterial colonies are present around your teeth.

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease can make a real mess of your mouth, destroying forever your gums and bone and causing tooth loss. To keep the disease from progressing, you must establish a relationship with a San Diego dentist who is right for you. They can take a look at your mouth, find out what stage the infection has reached and make a plan for treating it.

Your dentist may suggest a deep cleaning procedure, pocket reduction surgery, and oral antibiotics, among other things. A variety of treatment methods are possible, and you may have choices to make. A common starting point is root planing and teeth scaling to thoroughly clean and smooth teeth to reduce plaque, tartar, and bacteria.

In severe cases of periodontal disease, laser treatment may be recommended to eliminate bacteria and reduce pocket size. You may require tissue grafting where bone or gums have been lost. Whatever your situation when you arrive at the dentist, solutions are available. If teeth have already been lost, dental implants are available if you’re a good candidate.

Choose a San Diego Dentist Association member now, and take the first steps toward a healthier mouth.

For a free consultation to find out if you have gum disease, call (619) 745-6870

Gum Disease And Diabetes

It’s a fact: People with diabetes are often more susceptible than the average person to infections. That’s part of the reason the periodontal disease can be of particular concern to people who are diabetic. But that isn’t the whole story of the interaction between gum disease and diabetes.

A smartly chosen dental team can work with you to help you control periodontitis and other oral health concerns that interact with diabetes. Periodontal disease can cause tooth loss when untreated, and that tooth loss starts as a simple gum infection. The infection eventually consumes gum tissue and bone, leaving pockets where even more bacteria can grow. And disaster results.

By definition, diabetic people have excess sugar in the blood, and that’s an oral health concern as well. Plus, heart disease and stroke, which are connected with periodontal disease, are also common in people with diabetes.

Details On The Connection

Gum Disease Diabetes

People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing gum disease

The connection between diabetes and gum disease is largely based on the fact that both can spiral uncontrollably if not well-managed. Here are some other important ways the two health concerns are interconnected:

Blood sugar uptick. Gum disease involves bacteria that feed on sugar in the mouth, and those with diabetes have more sugar in their blood and saliva than average. That means bacteria have more food so they can flourish, and, in turn, a flourishing bacterial infection can throw the system off balance, further raising blood sugar.

Blood vessel thickening. Blood vessel walls often thicken in people with diabetes because of damage from sugar in the blood. These thicker blood vessels are less effective than average in carrying away waste, leading to greater sugar, bacteria, plaque and periodontitis in the mouth.

Smoking. While not everyone with diabetes smokes, diabetics who do smoke find that their healing process is slowed, increasing the likelihood of developing gum disease and making it worse when it happens, further contributing to reduced oral and overall health.

Poor oral hygiene. The best thing a person with diabetes can do to stave off gum disease is practice excellent oral hygiene so that harmful sugar in the mouth, from whatever source, is cleaned away frequently and not left in place for it to do damage that contributes to the downward spiral of both diseases.

Gum Disease Treatment For Diabetics

There’s no better way for people with diabetes or anyone else to establish and maintain oral health than to visit a San Diego Dentist Association member at least twice a year or as recommended by the dental team once you’re established with them. Professional teeth cleaning removes tartar, plaque and reduces gum pocket size so that sugar can’t remain in the mouth as easily.

Your dentist can speak with you about your medical conditions, family history and perform a visual examination of your teeth plus take digital x-rays and perhaps perform other tests to assess your gum disease situation.

If you have gum disease and diabetes, you may be asked to consider treatments such as an extra-thorough cleaning of your teeth called deep scaling, the associated root planing procedure, gum recontouring, pocket reduction surgery, and more.

Your best bet for longevity and gum health is to visit a dentist regularly, take their advice seriously regarding oral hygiene and do everything possible at home to keep your teeth and gums in good health. Whether you have diabetes, think you might have this condition, or just want to talk about your gum health, the right dentist can offer solutions to every oral and dental concern.

To see how a San Diego Dentist Association member can help, all you have to do is call. Why not reach out now for your first appointment?

To make an appointment for a gum disease screening, call (619) 745-6870

 

What is Gum Disease?

What we call “gum disease” is technically called “periodontal disease” – but whatever you call it, it’s gum inflammation that gets worse and worse over time and can lead to loss of the tissue that holds teeth in place and possibly tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by plaque, that yellowish, sticky substance that’s always trying to form on your teeth.

Gum disease is usually preventable because you can remove plaque by brushing and flossing and going for regular visits to a dentist trained in and experienced with periodontal disease. When it isn’t removed, however, gums pull away from teeth and form pockets where bacteria colonies can grow. Plaque can also harden into a different substance, tartar, that keeps gums from sealing to teeth and causes other problems too.

The first sign of periodontal disease that most people see is gingivitis, a mild gum infection. As the situation worsens, gums and other soft tissue are destroyed, allowing teeth to shift and eventually fall out. The quicker gum disease is treated by your SDDA dentist, however, the better the outcome.

Types of Gum Disease

What is Gum Disease

Periodontitis, also generally called gum disease or periodontal disease

As gingivitis progresses, the body’s attempts to kill off bacteria can cause gums and other soft tissue to be destroyed permanently. Since there are very few outward signs of this progression, it can happen without you knowing it. As the tissue damage becomes more widespread, things get increasingly serious. Here are the four main forms of gum disease:

Ordinary periodontitis. This is simply gum disease in its early stages, and it can begin at a young age. Heart disease, respiratory diseases, and diabetes have been linked through research to this and all forms of periodontitis.

Chronic periodontitis. The most frequently occurring type of periodontitis, this recurring condition includes pocket formation as well as the recession of the gums. It happens in many adults and can happen in children. Attachment loss occurs slowly, but it continues to happen over the long term.

Aggressive periodontitis. This condition happens in people who are otherwise healthy. Because the worsening is aggressive, there is rapid attachment loss and bone destruction.

Necrotizing periodontal disease. This rare type of periodontal disease includes the death of soft tissue, ligaments, and bone and is most common in those with systemic conditions like HIV, malnutrition, or immunosuppression of some kind.

Types Of Gum Disease Treatment

If you believe you have gum disease or your dentist notices warning signs, you can take several paths toward limiting and reversing it. What your dentist will recommend depends on your overall health and the health of your teeth, gums, and jawbone plus a range of other factors that must be taken into consideration. That’s why a thorough dental exam is so crucial. Here are some of the gum disease treatments that may be recommended to you:

Root planing and scaling. This involves the removal of bacteria and hardened plaque to improve the health of the gums and prevent infection from spreading. Pockets and gaps are cleaned thoroughly, and you may be given antibiotics and a mouth rinse to further eliminate bacteria and prevent it from coming back.

Tissue grafting. If a lot of gum or bone tissue has been destroyed by gum disease, healthy material can be grafted from another location in your mouth, if available, to promote regeneration. A healing membrane is often placed at this kind of surgical site to support growth and healing.

Pocket reduction. By reducing the size of pockets, it is possible to reduce the space that bacterial colonies have available to them. This procedure involves removing gums in areas where the pockets are deeper than they should be.

Dental implants. After teeth have been lost from periodontal disease, a dental implant can be placed into remaining or regenerated bone to prevent spaces that could cause other teeth to spread. Dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss.

Reach out to a San Diego Dentist Association member now for more about gum disease treatment. You deserve a healthy mouth and great life.

 

It’s usually covered by insurance, so don’t hesitate to call (619) 745-6870 to make an appointment for a gum disease checkup.

Gum Disease And Diabetes

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Gum Disease, Heart Disease and Stroke

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Gum Disease and Osteoporosis

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Gum Disease and Pregnancy

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Gum Disease and Respiratory Disease

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Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening from your San Diego Dentist Association dental professional can make a dramatic difference in the look of your teeth and improve the youthfulness of your face without drilling, anesthetics or surgery.

Through the years, dentists have developed a wide range of options for whitening teeth. Most patients first try a home whitening system, which is convenient and affordable, but it can provide unexpected results. It only works on natural teeth – not crowns or fillings – and creates an uneven look. That’s why it’s often better to turn to professional teeth whitening from your dentist’s office.

You must also understand that teeth whitening isn’t permanent, and you’ll need additional treatments after your initial course of whitening if you drink coffee, tea or wine or are a smoker. These things as well as certain foods can quickly undo whitening results.

You may want to consider teeth whitening if you have:

  • Brown or yellow staining on your teeth that keeps getting worse
  • Teeth that have worn enamel
  • Fluorosis, a condition involving too much fluoride in your teeth
  • Discolored teeth for any other reason.

What’s Involved In Professional Teeth Whitening?

Two or more visits are usually required for dentist-assisted teeth whitening. For one popular type of teeth whitening, impressions are taken of your teeth so a dental lab can create custom take-home clear trays to hold a whitening solution. At your second appointment, the trays are fitted, and your dentist makes any changes necessary for comfort. You then take the trays home with you and use them along with the special whitening solution for a short time each morning and evening or overnight, if prescribed, for about two weeks. Your dentist can advise you about how long you will need to do this for the desired level of whitening.

Other whitening options are available as well, depending on your desired level of whiteness and your situation. In some cases, dental veneers can cover up restorations that cannot be whitened. Many people experience some sensitivity during and shortly after whitening, but this goes away over time. Your dentist will provide care instructions for maintaining results, and regular dental office visits can help you stay on track.

For more about professional teeth whitening, contact an SDDA dentist now. You’ll be glad you did.

 

To have your teeth whitened professionally, call (619) 745-6870.

 

 

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Porcelain Veneers

It’s amazing what a thin piece of porcelain can do. Porcelain veneers from the San Diego Dentist Association member of your choice create beautiful smiles. Custom-made in a dental lab to precisely fit your teeth, veneers cover previous damage, restoration work and signs of aging on teeth for beauty that will last for years.

Veneers are among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because they’re strong, durable and long-lasting. While they may not last forever, they’re easily replaced when necessary – with no numbing and very little time in the chair. There is no easier or quicker path to dramatic results.

You may want to consider porcelain veneers as a cosmetic solution to:

  • Stained or yellowed teeth
  • Crooked or misshapen teeth
  • Oddly sized teeth
  • Worn or chipped teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • And more.

What Does Getting Porcelain Veneers Involve?

Getting dental veneers requires just two appointments with your SDDA dentist and no anesthetic. At the first appointment, your teeth are prepared for the veneers with any shaping, sculpting or buffing that’s necessary for a good fit. Then, an impression is taken from which the veneers are custom-made in a laboratory. The dentist will also help you decide what color is best.

At the second appointment, a special liquid is used on your teeth to prepare them for attachment of the veneers. As the pieces are fitted, adjustments can be made as needed. A special light is used to aid in bonding the cosmetic additions to your natural teeth, then the process is complete. You can go home immediately. The dentist will explain how to care for the veneers, including regular brushing, flossing and dental visits.

Reach out to an SDDA dentist now for more information about porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dental procedures that can improve your smile and help you feel great about yourself. Our dentists are experts at preventative, restorative and cosmetic dentistry and offer caring, professional service in a friendly, gentle environment where everyone can feel at home.

 

To determine if porcelain veneers are your best option, call (619) 745-6870 for a free consultation.

Porcelain Fixed Bridges

When you have a missing tooth or need to have a tooth extraction, a porcelain fixed bridge can be the right choice to cover the gap, restoring beauty and function. A bridge can fill the spaces left by one or several teeth and is a non-removable option that’s often more stable than a partial denture. There are other types of bridges as well, but a porcelain fixed bridge is often best and uses durable, tooth-colored porcelain fused to a metal base and attached with adjacent crowns for results that look just like natural teeth.

The only possible downside of a bridge is that it must be attached with crowns to the teeth that are on each side of the gap, and that can cause you to lose natural tooth unless you need crowns on these teeth anyway. This restoration is called a bridge because the prosthetic tooth bridges the gap between the two crowns.

A bridge is the right choice if you have the following situations:

  • A missing tooth that needs to be replaced
  • Drooping at the jawline from missing teeth
  • Shifting teeth caused by gaps
  • Problems eating or chewing
  • Visible gaps that cause you embarrassment
  • A partial that is painful or rocks.

What Does Getting A Fixed Bridge Involve?

A porcelain fixed bridge involves at least two dental office visits with the San Diego Dentist Association member of your choice. At the first visit, some of the enamel and previous restorations to the two surrounding teeth are ground down for the caps that will hold the bridge in place. Impressions of the area are taken, and the bridge is made to exacting specifications in a dental lab. Your dentist will place temporary crowns to protect the supporting teeth while the bridge is made.

When you return for your second appointment, the bridge is cemented in place. Adjustments for a perfect fit can be made if necessary. The dentist may use temporary glue at first so you can try out the bridge and make sure it meets your needs perfectly. In that case, it can be permanently secured at a third appointment. You’ll also get instructions on caring for the bridge, which will include regular dental visits.

To determine if a fixed bridge is the right solution for your missing teeth or teeth that need to be extracted, contact an SDDA dentist now for a consultation.

 

To find out if a porcelain fixed bridge is right for you, please call (619) 745-6870 to make an appointment for a free consultation with SDDA

Dental Crowns

When a tooth has been so badly damaged that it is no longer the same size or shape that it was when it was healthy, a dentist may decide that the best way to maintain it and the teeth around it is to offer a dental cap or crown.

The most popular type of dental cap that is usually offered is a porcelain one, usually chosen due to its tooth-colored property. Many people will not even notice that it is not a real tooth, and their strength mean that they can last for many years – though they are not indestructible, and will need a dentist to check on them every year or so. Your dentist can ensure the dental cap you receive fits with your other teeth to give you a perfect smile.

Dental Crown

Dental Crown

You may want to talk to your dentist about receiving a dental cap or crown if you have:

  • Broken or fractured teeth
  • Misshapen teeth
  • Decayed teeth
  • Fillings that are broken
  • Fillings that are very large
  • Root canal work on your teeth

What is involved in getting a dental crown?

Two appointments are usually required for the fitting of a dental crown, as accurate impressions and molds of your teeth and jaw need to be taken first. A temporary crown will be placed in your mouth so that your tooth is protected while the dental lab makes up your permanent crown from the molds.

All decay will need to be removed by your dentist in the area where your crown is going before the temporary crown is fitted, so that the dentist can be assured that everything is happy and healthy. Your dentist will make sure that you can bite and chew properly before you leave your first appointment.

At the second appointment the permanent crown is ready to be fitted. The temporary crown will be removed, and the tooth cleaned once more to ensure maximum hygiene, and the dental crown will then be placed on your tooth. Again, your dentist will ensure that your bite and natural chewing will not be hindered by the new crown.

Your dentist will inform you as to how best you can take care of your crown, and this will include excellent oral care, and regular check ups.

To find out if dental crowns are the best solution for you, call (619) 745-6870 to make an appointment with an SDDA dentist.

Composite Fillings

When decay or other problems impact the health and function of a tooth, the simplest option for safe, long-lasting restoration is often a tooth-colored composite filling. Dental fillings involve removing areas of damage or decay to prevent further deterioration, then replacing the missing part with a biocompatible composite material that looks and works like the tooth did before the damage.

The San Diego Dentist Association member you choose as your dentist can discuss dental filling options with you. Some large areas of decay or damage need other types of restorations, and in some cases you may have several options.

Composite fillings contain no harmful materials and are safe over the long term. They are also durable and strong, often lasting for many years. They’re sometimes the right choice for these situations:

  • A small or medium-sized filling because of decay
  • Certain types of chips or cracks in teeth
  • Wear on a tooth from use or grinding
  • And other situations as recommended by your dentist.

What’s Involved In Getting A Composite Filling?

After you and your dentist have determined that a composite resin filling is the right choice, the filling can be completed in one appointment, perhaps the same appointment as the consultation. Numbing with anesthetic is often required, but not always. After the decay is removed, the area is cleaned and a medicine may be applied to prevent infection. The dentist then applies the composite material, shapes it and hardens it with a special light. They will check the bite and function of the tooth and can grind away a small portion of the filling to adjust the bite for comfort if necessary.

For large or deep fillings, sensitivity to cold or hot foods for a few days is normal, but this usually goes away. After that, you won’t notice the filling at all. Your dentist will explain good oral hygiene to you to help the filling stay in good condition and your natural teeth stay as healthy and decay-free as possible.

To learn more about composite fillings, reach out to an SDDA dentist now. For fillings and more, they’re the top San Diego dentists and want the best for you.

 

If you would like to discuss the possibility of getting composite fillings, call (619) 745-6870