Fillings/Dental Care

A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. If you have a tooth that requires a filling before orthodontic treatment, Dr. Rhoda Lockett will insist you see your preferred general dentist.

Treatment

Your general dentist will begin by first removing the decayed tooth material. The area is then cleaned, and filled with a filling material. This filling will help prevent further decay by closing off any cracks or spaces where bacteria might enter. Although a filling can be completed during orthodontic treatment, it is better to ensure healthy teeth and gums before orthodontic treatment.

There are a variety of different filling materials available including gold, silver, plastic and porcelain. Your general dentist will work with you to determine which material is best, depending on the extent of the repair, where in your mouth the filling is needed, and the cost of each material.

Below is a list of the different filling materials:

• Gold fillings are custom-made in a laboratory and then cemented into place. While gold fillings are often the most expensive choice, many consider gold to be the best filling material.
• Amalgam (silver) fillings are a more inexpensive choice. However, due to their dark color, they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not recommended for fillings in very visible areas such as front teeth.
• Composite (plastic) resins are custom-made to the exact color of your teeth, creating a more natural appearance. While these white fillings may be less noticeable than other materials, they don’t last as long.
• Porcelain fillings are created in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the color of the tooth, resist staining, and are about the same cost as gold fillings.

Steps Involved In Filling a Tooth

• A local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the tooth.
• A drill or a laser will then be used to remove the damaged area of the tooth.
• Once all the decay has been removed, your general dentist will thoroughly clean the cavity to remove bacteria and debris.
• The filling material is then applied in multiple layers and a special light that hardens each layer is applied.
• Finally, the material will be shaped, any extra material will be trimmed off and the final product will be thoroughly polished.

Before any orthodontic treatment, please see your general dentist and take care of any oral issues you may have. Lockett Orthodontics is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.