05
Mar
Why Is a Dental Filling Considered a Direct Dental Restoration?
Stoneycreek Village Dental offers composite fillings in Fort McMurray, Alberta, to repair mild to moderate tooth damage. In non-technical language, a filling means plugging a hole. However, a dental filling repairs the damage and prevents it from progressing. A filling restores the tooth to its original form and function to look natural and function optimally.
Is a tooth filling a restoration?
Yes! We consider a filling a restoration because it refers to more than filling a hole. A filling repairs the damage to restore the tooth’s optimal appearance and function. The process involves removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling the resulting cavity with a tooth-colored material. This seals the area to prevent further decay, restoring the tooth’s health. A tooth filling allows for proper chewing and maintaining the tooth’s integrity.
Why is a dental filling a direct restoration?
A direct restoration is made directly in the mouth. When you come for a filling from Drs. Yohannes Melkie, Alan Chan, and Cristina Rodrigo, it’s made inside the mouth and only takes a single visit. This means that your restoration isn’t made in the lab, where you must wait a few days to have the restoration created.
Indirect restorations, such as crowns or onlays, are made in the lab before placing them in the mouth. Often, patients have to leave the dental office with a temporary restoration while they wait for the permanent restoration.
What are the best fillings?
Fillings can be created from several materials, including gold, amalgam, and composite resin. Our office doesn’t just place fillings. We recommend composite (tooth-colored) fillings because they are the perfect blend of aesthetics, safety, durability, etc.
We endorse composite fillings for several compelling reasons:
- Aesthetic appeal: Composite fillings match the natural color of your teeth, ensuring a seamless and discreet restoration. This makes them ideal for repairing damage in visible areas, allowing you to smile confidently without noticeable dental work.
- Safety: You have probably heard/learned about mercury content in silver-colored (amalgam) fillings. Composite fillings don’t have any of those toxic substances. Composite fillings are made from finely grounded glass and plastic, which are biocompatible and safe.
- Minimally invasive: Applying composite fillings requires minimal removal of the tooth structure. Unlike amalgam fillings, which may need extensive drilling, composites bond directly to the tooth, preserving its integrity and strength.
- Versatility: Beyond filling cavities, composite resin wears “several hats” in dentistry. Tooth-colored fillings can mask stains, fill gaps, and repair chips or cracks. This flexibility makes composite fillings a valuable option for various dental restorations.
- Temperature insulation: Composite fillings have insulating properties, so you can consume hot and cold foods and drinks without worrying about sensitivity. Moreover, insulation prevents rapid contractions and expansions, which can fracture, chip, or crack your tooth over time.
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (780) 666-7327 | Existing Patients: (780) 750-3030
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In need of a filling?
Getting a dental filling can be the difference between saving and losing your tooth. Are you considering a filling in Fort McMurray, AB? Call (780) 666-7327 and schedule an appointment with Stoneycreek Village Dental.
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Dr. Alan Chan
Dr. Alan Chan opened Stoneycreek Village Dental three years ago to offer patients a comprehensive range of dental services while using current technology and techniques. The practice focuses on patients’ dental and overall health. Giving all patients a healthy smile and a positive dental experience is their goal.
Dr. Yohannes Melkie
Dr. Yohannes Melkie obtained his Biomedical Science Degree from the University of Ottawa and his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Western Ontario. He then moved to Fort Mac, where he has been practicing since. Continuous education is very important to him; he attends conferences and training sessions to stay current and provide his patients with the best quality treatment.
Dr. Melkie enjoys collaborating with patients to ensure their oral health is in good hands.
Dr. Cristina Rodrigo
Dr. Cristina Rodrigo graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Science from Toronto Metropolitan University and completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry. She was the founder and President of the University’s Women in Dentistry.
Dr. Rodrigo practiced in Northern Ontario before moving to Fort McMurray. She is passionate about providing comprehensive dental care to patients in a gentle and empathetic manner.