Dental Fillings in Placerville CA

Tooth Filling

Are you in need of an experienced and caring dentist in Placerville, CA? Contact Pacific Street Dental today to set up an appointment. Do you suffer from tooth pain or tooth sensitivity? These are telltale signs that you may have a dental cavity. You are not alone. Most people have at least one cavity filled by the time they reach adulthood. Call Dr. Eric Ngo and his compassionate team at Pacific Street Dental for dental fillings in Placerville CA. We strive to make every dental visit as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

What Is a Dental Filling?

Also called cavity filling, the dental filling procedure is commonplace in restorative dentistry to treat teeth compromised by cavities or tooth decay. If you have a sensitive tooth or feel pain when chewing or drinking, you may have a cavity that needs a filling.

The filling seals the damaged tooth enamel, keeping bacteria from penetrating the tooth and causing more decay. Dental fillings alleviate pain caused by tooth decay, restore functionality for eating, and improve the aesthetic appearance of the tooth.

There are several types of material most commonly used for teeth fillings, including:

• Composite resin – Composite resin can be used to match your natural tooth color and restore function in smaller areas of decay.
• Glass ionomer – Glass ionomer is a material that is more moisture tolerant during placement and best suited for fillings at the gumline. It helps facilitate ion transfer between the teeth and the saliva which strengthens tooth enamel and prevents further decay.
• Gold – Cast gold fillings (inlays/onlays) are durable but costly. They require two separate visits to place, but can help with teeth with a moderate amount of decay – more than can be reliably fixed with a filling, but not quite enough to necessitate a crown.
• Porcelain/ceramic – Porcelain/Ceramic fillings (inlays/onlays) are similar to gold fillings but match the teeth much more closely. These usually also take two visits, but with the use of CAD/CAM technology, these may be done in one visit.

The choice of filling material depends on the exact nature of the dental procedure and your budget. Dr. Ngo and his team will advise you on the best option for your needs.

The Benefits of Teeth Fillings

When you develop a cavity, your tooth becomes vulnerable to ongoing tooth decay, which leads to more serious dental problems. A cavity filling prevents bacteria from penetrating the tooth enamel and reinforces the tooth.

The Tooth Filling Procedure

At Pacific Street Dental, we try to make fillings as easy as possible. The first step is to numb the nerves and tissue around the tooth using a local anesthetic. We then clean the affected area and remove any residual decay.

The next step is to fill the tooth. If we are working with ceramic or composite resin, we take the time necessary to ensure the best color match to your natural teeth. The time needed to set depends on the type of material. When the filling hardens, Dr. Ngo shapes, files, and polishes your new filling.

Contact Us

Proper at-home oral hygiene combined with routine dental cleanings and examinations are the best preventative measures against cavities. For high-quality dental fillings in Placerville, CA, call Pacific Street Dental at 530-622-4188 or fill out our contact form today to set up an appointment today. Learn more about our dentures service.