If detected and treated early, most small to medium size cavities can be repaired by Dr. Scott Howe applying a basic filling. There are several factors that contribute to the material he recommends for the filling. The primary purpose of the tooth, the size of the cavity and its relationship to your smile are all factored into the recommendation.
Porcelain-ceramic fillings can be shaded to match the color of your natural tooth enamel. This makes them a good choice for filling cavities on a tooth in your smile. Just like gold, porcelain fillings are made in a laboratory and then fitted during a followup appointment.
Composite fillings are made from a resin material that can be color matched and placed in a single procedure.
The biting surface, on premolars and molars primarily do a lot of grinding and chewing. This calls for a filling made from a durable material, like gold. Gold inlays and onlays need to be custom made in a dental lab before being cemented into your cavity at a brief follow up appointment.
Amalgam fillings are less expensive than gold, yet they are just as durable. Amalgam is often dark in color so it is rarely used to fill a cavity in a spot that is visible in your smile.
Composite and amalgam are the two main types of dental fillings used at Riverfront Dental LLC. If you notice a problem area on one of your teeth, you should not delay in calling Dr. Scott Howe at 503.370.7651 to set up an appointment. The sooner the problem is addressed the less likely it is to lead to future complications.