Spokane Dental Fillings

Our dental clinic might suggest dental fillings as treatment when patients have cavities. Fillings are an optimal approach to restoring damaged teeth as a result of decay. They can restore teeth back to their normal shape and function.

If you happen to have teeth that need filling, our dentist will initially remove any decayed material, have infected areas cleaned, then fill up the sanitized cavity using filling materials. Fillings can help prevent future decay by having spaces or cracks closed up. As such, bacteria won’t be able to get into them.

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There are no shortages of dental filling materials to choose from, including porcelain, plastic, silver, and gold. Our dentist will work alongside you to establish what type of material will be most suitable based on how much repair is necessary, where fillings are needed, and costs.

The following is a brief explanation of various dental filling materials:

A gold filling will be custom-made inside of a lab before being cemented into position. Although gold fillings tend to be quite costly, most people see them as the best option. Inlays made with gold are tolerated well by your gum tissues. Also, they can last longer than two decades.

Silver (amalgam) fillings are more affordable, and your teeth will tolerate them better. With that said, because they are dark in color, they’re more visible than composite or porcelain restorations. Silver fillings aren’t recommended for front teeth and other notably visible areas.

Composite resins will be customized to match the color your existing teeth have, which creates an appearance that looks more natural. Although white fillings aren’t as noticeable as other materials, unfortunately, they don’t last as long (between a few years and a decade, on average). Composite resins might not be suitable for large-size fillings, and can wear down or chip over time. Worse, they are susceptible to stains from tea, tobacco, and coffee.

Onlays/inlays (a.k.a. porcelain fillings) get customized in a laboratory before being bonded to a patient’s tooth. They’re developed to match the natural color of teeth, are resistant to staining, and cost about as much as a gold filling. Porcelain restoration typically covers a majority of teeth, making fillings just about undetectable.

To learn more, contact one of our convenient locations to review all of your options. South Hill Dental Office: 509-536-5360 or North Spokane Office.