Fillings for Cavity Restoration & Prevention

Causes of Cavities

Cavity fillings, best dentist in Dousman, WI Sometimes there may be no symptoms or pain when a cavity is discovered. The earlier a cavity is filled the less damage is done to your oral health. Causes of cavities include bacteria, snacking, sugary drinks, and poor oral hygiene.

In addition to dental fillings, there are other types of treatment, like fluoride, crowns, and in severe cases root canals or tooth removal.

Cavity Symptoms

A cavity is an area of permanent damage within the hard surface of your teeth. Not cleaning your teeth well enough can lead to cavity symptoms, including:

Toothache
Tooth sensitivity
Sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold
Visible holes in a tooth
Brown, black or white staining on the surface of a tooth
Pain when biting down

Cavity Prevention with Regular Cleanings

Regular cleanings are the best preventative care; they help you stop cavities from happening or getting worse. If you’re experiencing any of the above signs of a cavity, it is important to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced dentists.

Contact Dousman Family Dentistry for an appointment. We serve patients from Dousman, Delafield, Mukwonago, Hartland, and beyond.

Types of Dental Fillings

There are a variety of dental filling materials available like gold, porcelain, silver amalgam and tooth-colored plastic called composite. The most popular and affordable materials are composite and amalgam. One of our experienced dentists will discuss the best option for you.

Composite vs Amalgam Dental Fillings

Appearance

Composite Dental Fillings:
Natural, tooth-colored

Amalgam Dental Filling:
Silver-colored

Durability

Composite Dental Fillings:
Good for small to mid-size restorations

Amalgam Dental Filling:
High resistance to wear

Appointment Length

Composite Dental Fillings:
Takes a bit longer than amalgam fillings

Amalgam Dental Filling:
Faster than composite fillings

Cost

Composite Dental Fillings:
Slightly more expensive than amalgam

Amalgam Dental Filling:
Less expensive

What Happens After a Filling

You may experience tooth sensitivity after a filling, which will go away on its own over the following days. If your sensitivity does not decrease, don’t hesitate to contact us! Can you eat after a filling? Our dentists recommend you wait at least one hour before eating anything and allow 24 hours to pass before attempting to eat hard foods.