Filling the Gaps With High-Quality Fillings
Do you hesitate to smile because of gaps, stains, or cracks in your teeth? Have bites of ice cream or sips of coffee become uncomfortable due to tooth sensitivity? You don’t have to live with embarrassing dental flaws or ongoing discomfort any longer. At our practice, we believe everyone deserves a healthy, confident smile — one that allows you to eat, speak, and laugh without worry.
Our experienced dental team offers advanced cosmetic and restorative treatments to help you achieve your ideal smile. We take the time to thoroughly examine your oral health, explain your options, and recommend solutions that fit your needs and budget. If you’re feeling self-conscious about chipped teeth, decay, or other dental concerns, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you smile with confidence again.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings, also known as dental restorations, are materials used to repair teeth affected by decay or fractures. Our experienced dental team in the Tidewater area uses high-quality filling materials to restore damaged teeth and help prevent further oral health issues.
The most common types of dental fillings include silver amalgam, composite resin, porcelain, and gold. During your visit, your dentist will carefully examine your teeth, take any necessary X-rays, and recommend the filling material best suited to your needs. Each filling is crafted with precision to match the natural shape and shade of your teeth, helping to restore both function and appearance.
Who Needs a Dental Filling?
If you have tooth decay, a fractured tooth, or old fillings that are worn, damaged, or missing, you may need new dental fillings from a trusted dental provider in the beautiful Tidewater area. During your visit, your dentist will perform a thorough oral examination, checking all surfaces of your teeth for signs of:
- Tooth decay and cavities
- Cracks
- Chips
- Broken cusps
Other reasons you may need dental fillings include damage from teeth grinding, deterioration beneath old silver fillings, or the need to strengthen a weakened tooth structure. During your visit, your dental team will carefully assess your smile to determine if fillings are the right solution to restore your oral health and protect your teeth for the future.
The Filling Process at the Foleck Center
If your dental team determines you need a filling at our Hampton Roads office, we will ensure the process is as quick, comfortable, and stress-free as possible. Here are the general steps involved:
- Numbing: Your dentist will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area around your tooth. You’ll remain awake for the entire process but feel no pain.
- Decay removal:The dentist uses a small drill to remove the decayed material from your tooth. He will remove only the affected area and preserve healthy tooth structure.
- Etching: Your tooth will be washed and etched with an acid gel to help the filling material properly adhere. The Foleck Center only uses brand-new materials to fill your tooth.
- Placement: The dentist skillfully shapes and places the new sterile filling into your prepared tooth. Then they meticulously sculpt a natural shape and texture.
- Polishing: Once cured and hardened, your new filling is smoothed and polished for your comfort.
The whole process usually takes less than 90 minutes from start to finish at The Foleck Center!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does getting a filling feel like?
You’ll get a local anesthetic before the procedure, so you likely won’t feel anything during the preparation and placement of the filling material. Some minor sensitivity and pressure sensations are normal during the process. Please let your dentist and dental team know immediately if you feel any discomfort!
Do fillings fall out?
With proper oral hygiene and routine dental visits, today’s high-quality dental filling materials should be extremely durable and long-lasting. However, new patients sometimes discover old, outdated metal fillings that have weakened over time or developed issues underneath the filling. These usually need prompt replacement.
Do fillings ruin your teeth?
Not at all! When properly done by a skilled, experienced dentist, dental fillings save your tooth structure and restore full function to the area. Only the decayed portion is conservatively removed and replaced precisely with a biocompatible, tooth-colored filling material.
Are dental fillings covered by insurance?
Get Your Smile Back on Track with Dental Fillings
Your smile deserves the royal treatment. At The Foleck Center, we believe everyone should have access to affordable, compassionate dental care from exceptional providers they can trust. Our caring team goes the extra mile to make every visit pleasant, calm, and efficient. We accept most insurance and offer flexible financing so you can get the dentistry you need.
Don’t endure tooth pain and embarrassment any longer! Every smile we restore inspires our team. Call The Foleck Center today in Hampton, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach to schedule an appointment with Dr. Foleck. Let us help you love your smile again!
