The main role of a dental filling is to fill in the gap left in a tooth by a cavity.
Unfortunately, dental fillings do not last forever.
Their lifespan is influenced by a variety of factors, such as:
- The patient’s lifestyle
- Compliance with oral hygiene standards
- The patient’s genetic predisposition to developing cavities
Eventually, a dental filling will need to be replaced. Sometimes it even happens that a dental filling falls out of place.
If this has happened to you, you are probably wondering what are the best steps to follow.
Here’s what you will need to do.
The First Thing You Need to Do
If your dental filling falls out, the first thing you need to do is contact Living Oaks Dental and seek the advice of Dr. Gene Brabston.
If Dr. Gene Brabston considers your case urgent, he will call you to the Living Oaks Dental clinic for an emergency dentistry procedure. If your situation is not urgent, then he will tell you how to care for the gap where the filling was to keep it safe until your next appointment.
What to Expect from the Medical Procedure
First of all, Dr. Gene Brabston will look at your teeth and probably perform an X-ray to make sure he doesn’t miss anything.
After that, he has a choice of three treatment options:
- A New Dental Filling
If your tooth still has chances to recover, dr. Gene Brabston will be able to install a new dental filling.
There are several dental fillings options to choose from, such as:
- Amalgam filling or composite and glass ionomer material (which mimics the natural color of your teeth) for the teeth in the back of the mouth (molars and premolars;)
- Composite and glass ionomer fillings for front teeth (canines or incisors;)
Dr. Gene Brabston may recommend that you use amalgam fillings for the teeth in the back of your mouth (molars and premolars) because they do most of the chewing, and this type of filling is the strongest of all.
- Restorative Dentistry
If there’s a gap that exposes the nerve of the tooth, the dentist may recommend root canal therapy and a dental crown.
- Tooth Extraction
Sometimes it is possible that the tooth from which the dental filling fell can no longer be recovered and its extraction may be necessary.
In this case, Dr. Gene Brabston will present you with a treatment plan that includes dental implants.
Book Your Appointment Now
Unfortunately, no dental filling will last forever. That is why it is essential to visit a dentist regularly for performing preventive dentistry procedures, as this is the best method of preventing the occurrence of dental complications.
If your dental filling has fallen out, then we at Living Oaks Dental can examine you and recommend the best course of treatment.
Get in touch with us now to book your appointment.
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