General Dentistry Services

Dental filling is a treatment modality to restore missing tooth structure which could have been a result of decay or trauma. Decay makes teeth hollow. Dental fillings help to fill this gap and protect it from further decay. A filling is also used to repair broken or cracked teeth and the teeth which wear off due to dental habits like teeth grinding, nail-biting, etc.

A dental filling is normally required if your tooth is decayed. It can prevent further damage and can protect your tooth.

Dental fillings are of various types. The type of filling to be used will depend upon the condition of decay and other factors such as a person being allergic to a material. The different types of fillings available are:

Metal Filling

This old age filling is long-lasting. In this type, the silver filling is comparatively inexpensive. But gold though expensive is a preferred choice. Because they can withstand chewing forces and last usually from 10-15 years.

Amalgam Filling

These are the most researched and widely used by dental professionals for quite a long time now. They are made of several metals combined and therefore, they have high strength.

Composite Filling

These are of the same color as your teeth. These are preferred if a person does not want their filing to be seen. It is recommended and suitable for front teeth. It bonds well with the tooth structure. It is also used for a chipped tooth, however, it does not last long as compared to metal and amalgam filling and can also wear off with time.

Porcelain / Ceramic Filling

The porcelain filling is best suited if you have serious aesthetic concerns. These cover most parts of the tooth, and as a result, can be used if the decay is large enough. This long-lasting filling does not stain or wear off easily.

Come to King Street Dental Care for a variety of denture types:

• Immediate dentures
• Implant-supported dentures
• Partial dentures

If you have one or more missing teeth, a dental bridge can fill the gap with one or more artificial (false) teeth. A bridge is typically made of crowns on either side of the missing tooth or teeth supporting the pontic (false tooth) and is cemented in place.

Your teeth work together. If a tooth is missing, nearby teeth can move into the empty space. The teeth in your opposite jaw can also move up or down toward the space. This can cause:

• Bite problems
• Chewing difficulties
• Pain from the extra stress on your teeth and jaw
• Self-consciousness about the way you look or your smile

A dental bridge can:

• Help your bite
• Prevent remaining teeth from moving out of place
• Restore your ability to chew and speak
• Restore your smile

Are you wondering “do I need crowns?” If you are, here are some of the most common reasons a crown might be needed:

• Protecting and restoring broken teeth
• Holding a dental bridge in place
• Covering a discolored tooth
• Covering dental implants
• Restoring a filling
• Protecting the tooth and root structure after root canal therapy
• Closing gaps in teeth

A crown requires a few minimally invasive procedures that will quickly address your dental issues. First, we will place a cap over the injured tooth, which helps return its shape, strength, and appearance. After that, impressions are made and sent to a dental laboratory where your crown will be created.

While you are waiting for your new crown, your dentist will make a temporary one and insert it in the affected area. When the new crown arrives, the temporary crown will be removed, and the new crown will take its place!

Once the crown is in place, be sure to maintain proper dental care. While a crown restores a tooth and bolsters its defenses against wear and tear, no tooth is indestructible. With proper care, however, a quality crown can last almost a decade. In addition, be wary of other behaviors that might damage the dental crown, such as jaw clenching, bruxism (teeth grinding), and eating hard, brittle foods.

When an adult tooth is extracted, it’s natural for the socket to bleed, even if stitches are in place. Our dental support staff at King Street Dental Care will provide you with gauze pads and instruct you to gently place them onto the socket to absorb the drainage, staunch any bleeding and promote clotting.

Typically, you’ll want to leave the gauze in place for 3-4 hours following your tooth extraction, changing it out as necessary. To promote clotting, we recommend patients avoid rinsing, smoking, and drinking through a straw for 24 hours.