Dental Cavity Fillings in West Edmonton

Stop cavities in their tracks

A filling is a treatment for tooth decay that can slow or stop its advancement and prevent the premature extraction of a tooth. A filling is completed by removing the decayed infected tooth structure and filling the void with a composite resin or metal alloy material. Fillings are typically recommended when the tooth defect is a small to medium portion of the entire tooth. If a significant portion of your tooth is a filling, your dentist may recommend an alternative treatment to prevent premature tooth loss.

When do you need fillings?

You may need a filling if you are experiencing some of the following symptoms:

• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• A rough, chipped, or broken tooth
• Visible dark spots on your teeth
• A hole in your tooth that you can see or feel with your tongue
• Darkly pigmented small lines or cracks in your teeth

Dr. Bains will also likely recommend that you get a filling to deal with any cavities if they are detected during an examination completed in conjunction with your dental hygiene therapy.

Types of fillings

Depending on your specific dental condition, and the location of the cavity requiring treatment, your dentist may make a specific recommendation for your dental fillings:

• Metal fillings, such as gold or silver amalgam, will last a very long time and they can withstand significant forces from chewing and biting. However, they can cost a lot upfront and can be visibly noticeable in the mouth, particularly when used in front teeth.
• Ceramic fillings are made most often out of porcelain and are a more natural-looking option than metal. They are also less prone to staining than the white composite resin alternatives. These ceramic fillings can last for nearly as long as metal fillings and can cost about as much as gold restorations.
• White composite resin fillings are a plastic and glass mixture that is great for fixing small to medium-sized cavities in teeth. These fillings are similar in colour to your natural tooth structure, but they do need to be replaced more often than some metal filling options. Composite fillings are more affordable than gold or ceramic options and provide excellent aesthetic results.

What is the procedure for fillings?

Fillings are very routine procedures in a dental office and Dr. Bains has done many of them during her career! Here is how they’re done so you know what to expect:

• A local anesthetic will be administered to ensure the area is numb during the procedure
• An air abrasion instrument, drill or laser will be used to remove tooth decay
• The area will be examined and cleaned to ensure all of the decayed material has been successfully removed
• The filling will be applied and cured
• After the filling is cured it will need to be shaped and polished to ensure a smooth finish and natural contour
• The dentist will then verify your bite to ensure it does not interfere with your ability to chew
• Your filling is complete

Types of crowns

There are four types of dental crowns that have different applications and advantages:

• Porcelain crowns are highly aesthetic and useful. They provide a natural appearance and longevity to crowns in the front of the mouth.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are similar to porcelain crowns, but the porcelain is fused to a metal substructure. This class of crown is commonly used on posterior teeth.
• Gold crowns are made from an alloy of gold and other precious metals. They are extremely durable and require less tooth reduction for placement.
• Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, a metal in the titanium family with a white appearance. It has a similar look to a porcelain crown but is much harder and therefore withstands greater bite force.

What to do if you’ve lost a crown

If you have a chipped crown or a crown has completely come off one of your teeth, we recommend the following immediate steps:

• Call, email us, or use our online booking tool to schedule an emergency appointment as soon as you can. Our dental team will try our very best to provide you with a same-day emergency appointment to address your dental crown issue.
• If you are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity due to the exposed tooth, we recommend taking an over-the-counter oral pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage discomfort. This temporary measure will help until you can come in for your dental appointment.
• We also recommend using sensitive toothpaste or an over-the-counter dental cement/denture adhesive to temporarily reattach the crown over the affected tooth to hold it in place. This protective measure will help prevent further damage to the exposed tooth until you are seen by a dentist at our practice.

How a dentist performs a crown procedure

If a dental crown has been recommended, here is what you can expect:

• A dental crown procedure typically involves two separate appointments. It may also be completed as a single appointment procedure in some dental practices.
• The first appointment is the preparation phase. Your damaged tooth will be precisely reshaped and modified to accommodate a crown under local anesthetic for comfort. Then a digital scan or physical impression of the teeth will be taken to ensure a proper fit of the final crown. A temporary crown, usually made of acrylic material, will be fabricated and fitted to your prepared tooth to protect it while you are waiting for your second appointment.
• The impression or digital scan is then sent to our dental laboratory. This is so your custom permanent crown can be created from durable materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys.
• The second appointment will be scheduled for approximately two weeks after your first visit, after your crown has been produced by our lab. At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed to allow a precise fitting of your CUSTOM crown. Once the proper fit, bite alignment, and appearance have been determined, your permanent crown will be permanently cemented to your prepared tooth, restoring its function and appearance.