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3125 Coffee Rd.
Suite 1
Modesto, CA 95355
Existing Patients: (209) 529-2726
New Patients: (209) 207-5740
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Dental fillings are among the most common and essential dental treatments to restore damaged or decayed teeth to their natural form and function. Dental fillings provide a simple and effective solution to prevent further damage and preserve oral health when tooth decay, fractures, or wear compromises the tooth's structure.
Tooth decay is a prevalent oral health issue affecting people of all ages. If left untreated, decay can progress and lead to more extensive damage, potentially reaching the tooth's inner pulp, resulting in severe pain and the need for more invasive treatments. Dental fillings are crucial in addressing early-stage decay and minor tooth damage, preventing further deterioration, and preserving the tooth's natural structure and function. Visit At Wayne T. Yee, DDS, for the best dental care.
Made of a combination of metals (silver, tin, copper, and mercury), amalgam fillings have been used for decades due to their durability and affordability.
Composite fillings, also known as tooth-colored or white fillings, are made of plastic and fine glass particles. They blend seamlessly with the natural tooth color, making them aesthetically pleasing.
Ceramic fillings are custom-made restorations that match the natural tooth color and provide excellent strength and durability.
Gold fillings, while less common nowadays, offer exceptional longevity and are well-tolerated by gum tissues.
Before beginning the procedure, the dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth. This ensures a pain-free experience during the filling placement. The dentist will use specialized dental instruments to remove the decayed or damaged parts of the tooth, leaving behind a clean and healthy tooth structure. The chosen filling material (amalgam, composite, ceramic, or gold) is placed in layers into the prepared tooth cavity. Each layer is hardened using a curing light. Once the filling material is in place, the dentist will shape and polish the filling to ensure a comfortable bite and a seamless blend with the natural tooth surface.
Dental fillings offer a simple and effective solution whether you need to address cavities, minor fractures, or wear. If you suspect you have tooth decay or experience dental discomfort, contact Wayne T. Yee, DDS, at 3125 Coffee Rd # 1, Modesto, CA 95355, or call (209) 529-2726.
If the pleasure of eating a delicious bowl of ice cream or sipping a soothing cup of tea gets overshadowed by dental pain that makes you wince; it's time to contact our office. As skilled providers of care, we'll determine what's causing your discomfort and perform the treatment required to alleviate your symptoms and get you back on the road to oral health.
Cavities develop because of an infectious process that causes progressive damage to tooth structure. Despite starting as a pinpoint defect on the outermost enamel layer of your tooth, untreated dental decay progressively compromises more and more healthy tooth structure as it works its way to the inner layers of your tooth.
Yes, you can still develop tooth decay on other surfaces of the tooth, around the margins of an old filling, or in fewer instances, recurrent decay underneath it. For this reason, it's essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene, a diet low in sugary beverages and sweets, and be sure to visit our office for routine checkups and care. While tooth decay is second only to the common cold in frequency, it's almost entirely preventable.
We value the time and comfort of our patients. If cavities are located on adjacent teeth, or in the same section of your smile, it may be possible to treat more than one tooth during your visit. However, how much is done each visit depends on several factors. We keep our patients well informed and tailor every treatment plan and visit to address their unique needs.
Addressing concerns on the presence of elemental mercury in silver fillings, the American Dental Association (ADA), The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA, and the World Health Organization have all stated that amalgam restorations do not pose a risk to health. However, individuals with allergies or sensitivities to the metals in dental amalgam are advised to pursue other restorative options.
Dental fillings are performed under local anesthesia to help ensure your comfort throughout the entire procedure. The involved tooth remains completely numb for the extent of your visit. Within one or two hours after the procedure is completed, the local anesthetic will gradually wear off, and normal sensations return.
A tooth-colored composite filling is fully hardened and set by the end of your visit. However, we may advise you to wait a couple of hours until the local anesthesia has completely worn off. This advice is to help ensure you don't accidentally bite your lip, cheek, or tongue while still numb.
The lifetime of a dental filling varies depending on the type of material used. While popular dental materials can last a decade or more with proper care, they can degrade over time, wear down, or even break. When this happens, you may experience some tooth sensitivity, a jagged edge, or a loose or dislodged piece of filling material. Whatever the case may be, it's essential to get the filling replaced before the tooth sustains further damage or other consequences arise. Beyond taking good care of your smile to help ensure the longevity of your fillings, our office regularly checks the status of your existing fillings as part of a routine checkup exam.
Dental fillings are an essential investment that serves to preserve and protect the health of your smile. With that said, how much a filling costs depends on the number of surfaces of the tooth involved and the filling material that is used. Amalgam restorations are the most economical. While tooth-colored composite fillings have a slightly higher cost, they offer the added benefits of being metal-free and much more aesthetically pleasing. Ceramic fillings, inlays, and onlays are more expensive than the preceding options but provide outstanding, long-lasting, and natural-looking results.
Dental insurances typically cover the cost of dental fillings. While we work with you to maximize your insurance benefits, there may still be an out-of-pocket expense. At the office of Wayne T. Yee, DDS, we strive to help you begin care without any additional financial stress or delay.
