Dental Fillings In Los Angeles.

The procedure for placing a permanent or temporary dental filling is a routine treatment that we do every day at 360 Dental. Here’s how it works:

1. Dr. Danoukh isolates the tooth from saliva to keep it dry.
2. Any dental decay is removed.
3. An etchant and a bonding agent are applied, followed by the composite resin.
4. A special light is used to harden each layer of composite resin material.
5. After the tooth is filled, the composite resin is shaped to resemble a real tooth.
6. Finally, the restoration is smoothed and polished to accommodate your bite.

What’s the difference between a filling and an inlay/onlay?

A filling uses composite material to fill in a space in your tooth created by decay or trauma, essentially restoring normal tooth shape and function. When we create a filling from composite resin, we shade the white material so that it blends naturally with your surrounding tooth structure. The result is a restoration that is practically invisible.

Inlays and onlays are used when the damage or decay to a tooth requires more than a filling but less than a crown. In other words, if your tooth does not have enough tooth structure for a filling but it is not so severely damaged that it warrants a crown, you may be an excellent candidate for an inlay or onlay.

Made of porcelain, an inlay is crafted at a dental lab by an expert ceramist and cemented into or onto the center of the tooth, inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay covers the top chewing surface of the tooth. We use porcelain because it very closely mimics enamel and offers decades of strength and security.

What’s wrong with metal/amalgam fillings?

In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, composite fillings are completely safe and non-toxic. Some research suggests that amalgam fillings—made with mercury, silver, tin, copper, and other metals—may lead to health problems. The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs has concluded that both amalgam and composite materials are considered safe and effective for tooth restoration.