Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to restore a tooth that has been damaged by tooth decay. Below you will find the answer to some of the most frequently asked questions about dental fillings.
You can contact any Beaumont Family Dentistry office in Lexington, KY, if you have additional questions.
► When would I need a dental filling?
Dental fillings are used to fill in cavities, which are holes in your teeth created by tooth decay. Filling materials take up that empty space to restore the shape and size of your teeth.
National health experts estimate that more than 90 percent of Americans will have at least one cavity in their lives.
► What are tooth-colored fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings are made with a composite resin. Gold and amalgam fillings are made with metals. This can affect the appearance of your smile even after your cavity has been filled in.
A tooth-colored dental filling dental filling will blend in with your smile. This is why we offer composite fillings at all three Beaumont Family Dentistry locations.
► Do some dental fillings contain mercury?
Yes, amalgam fillings contain a blend of mercury and other metals (often copper, silver, tin, or a combination of them). The American Dental Association maintains that amalgam fillings are safe.
The tooth-colored fillings available at our dentist offices in Lexington, KY, do not contain any mercury, however. We can replace your amalgam fillings with composite fillings.
► Do dental fillings hurt?
Getting a dental filling should be a painless procedure. We can offer both local anesthetic and sedation dentistry at Beaumont Family Dentistry to assure that you don’t feel anything during this process.
► What should I do if I think I have a cavity?
You should make an appointment at the nearest Beaumont Family Dentistry location. We have three dentist offices serving Lexington and Central Kentucky.
Call the number on our contact page for the office closest to you or click on the name of that office to fill out our online contact form.