Dental Fillings

Services . Dental Fillings

Maple Grove Dentistry

Dental Fillings

Have you ever had a cavity?

If you’ve ever had a cavity, you understand how uncomfortable they are. Cavities cause toothaches, pain when chewing, and temperature sensitivity. What if we told you that we could put a stop to your tooth pain in a single dental visit?

At Maple Grove Dentistry, Dr. Russell Jensen repairs cavities, and other dental damages, with composite resin fillings. This material is matched to natural tooth color so that your dental work won’t stand out from the rest of your smile. You shouldn’t have to endure tooth pain any longer. Let us restore your oral health and give you back the freedom to each whatever foods you please.

How Will A Filling Help?

The main reason Dr. Jensen recommends a filling is to correct the hole created from bacteria and acid erosion, or rather a cavity. When a cavity is left untreated, the bacteria can travel to the delicate tooth root. If this happens, you will need root canal therapy. In severe cases, Dr. Jensen will recommend extraction to remove the tooth to save surrounding teeth from bacterial infection or decay.

However, these undesirable procedures are avoided with a simple composite resin filling. If you have a cracked or broken tooth, a filling is used to correct the flaw and restore your tooth to its proper function. Teeth often become worn due to bruxism (teeth grinding) and unusual use, such as nail biting.

If you have a damaged tooth, a dental filling will repair the damage by filling in the hole or crack to restore the natural shape of the tooth. At Maple Grove Dentistry, we use composite resin during this procedure. This material is tinted to match your natural tooth color. After receiving this treatment with Dr. Jensen, there will be no sign of dental work.

How Do I Prevent Needing A Filling?

The best way to prevent cavities and other tooth damages is to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing should follow brushing so that food particles are properly removed from between teeth. Bacteria thrive in moist, dark, and warm places. Your mouth is the ideal place for bacterial growth. Brushing every morning and night will remove harmful substances, leaving you with a clean, healthy mouth.

Patients who fail to implement a good oral hygiene routine often develop cavities and weak teeth. Sometimes patients don’t notice that their teeth are damaged; therefore it’s important to attend a routine dental checkup and professional cleaning every six months so that Dr. Jensen can examine each tooth for signs of wear or cavities.

How To Determine A Cavity

Cavities are the prime reason for dental fillings. At your dental checkup, Dr. Jensen will use an explorer (dental tool) to inspect each tooth for weaknesses. Healthy teeth should feel strong and hard. However, a damaged tooth will feel soft. Another method for damage detection is special dye. If your tooth is healthy, the dye will rinse off easily. When the dye sticks to the tooth, Dr. Jensen will begin appropriate treatment.

X-rays can show deep-rooted cavities. This detection method is ideal when decay has traveled below the surface of the tooth. We recommend updating your x-rays every year. This can be done at your biannual dental checkup and professional cleaning.

How We Repair Your Smile

Dr. Jensen will administer a local anesthetic to the damaged tooth. This numbs the affected tooth and helps patients feel calm and relaxed during their procedure. Dr. Jensen will remove all signs of decay and bacteria. He will disinfect the damaged tooth and begin to prepare it for the upcoming filling.

Preparing the tooth includes slightly reshaping the structure. Next Dr. Jensen will tint the composite resin to the appropriate color and begin applying the mixture to the tooth. He will apply multiple layers of the resin, shaping each layer along the way.

Composite resin is hardened with a special light to provide strength and protection. He will then polish the tooth so that your smile shines radiantly.

This procedure leaves patients with a beautifully repaired tooth and a healthy, attractive smile. For large cavities, that can’t be corrected with a filling, Dr. Jensen recommends a porcelain dental crown. Each crown is uniquely created to meet the needs of each patient. Porcelain crowns are tooth colored and blend in with the rest of your smile.

For more information about repairing your smile, call 208-853-2221 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jensen in Boise, ID. We look forward to restoring your appearance and confidence with a simple dental filling.