Fillings and sealants are two of the most common dental procedures besides a routine cleaning. While sealants will help protect your teeth from decay and cavities, fillings are available to repair teeth that have already experienced some decay.
Sealants
Did you know that many children reach adulthood without getting any cavities?
Often teeth are formed with deep grooves in the biting surface of the teeth. These are the areas where you get food like graham crackers and candy bars stuck. When food and sugar get stuck here, bacteria which live in the mouth use them as food sources. The feeding bacteria produce an acid which can cause decay on the tooth.
A dental sealant is a tooth-colored material that can be applied to these hard-to-reach areas, filling up the grooves so that the sugar and bacteria can't reach them. Sealants are painless, they don't require any numbing, and they preserve normal and important tooth structure (so you won't even notice a difference). Dental sealants are usually placed as the back teeth (molars) come in. Our hygienists are trained and experienced in applying sealants, so you can have them done at your regular dental cleaning without having to come back for another appointment!
Please ask one of your dental providers or call The Smile Shoppe at (618) 654-9866 to see if dental sealants are right for you!
Fillings
A composite filling is a restoration placed on a broken or decayed tooth to restore its natural structure and function.
Silver fillings are a thing of the past - all fillings placed at The Smile Shoppe are made specifically to match your own tooth color, leaving you with a brilliant smile! The procedure is quick and comfortable, so there is no excuse to keep putting off the care you need. The composite material that we use isn't only beautiful - it's just as strong as your own enamel, so your filling will be built to last!
In the case of a cavity, the decay is removed and a composite filling rebuilds your tooth to its original shape and function. In the case of a broken tooth, the doctor will use his extensive experience and knowledge of tooth anatomy to rebuild your tooth to its original shape.
While a filling may seem like a minor procedure, it is critically important to ensure that the problem you have today doesn't grow into something much more serious. A broken or decayed tooth that does not receive treatment can become deeply infected or damaged beyond repair. In these cases your treatment may require a root canal or even extraction. Don't worry - if that happens we will still provide you with the excellent care and treatment necessary to bring you back to dental health, but we strongly recommend that you schedule your filling as soon as it is diagnosed to avoid these more costly and invasive procedures.
If you have a cavity or broken tooth, don't delay! Call The Smile Shoppe today at (618) 654-9866 to schedule an appointment to restore that beautiful smile you deserve!