General Dentistry

What are Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings are one of the most common general dentistry procedures performed besides a standard, routine dental cleaning. The reason is because dental fillings are one of the first lines of defense against tooth decay outside of the home. Fillings can often be prevented through excellent oral hygiene at home and additional support from twice-annual dental visits.

Dentists recommend dental fillings for a couple of specific reasons:

  • To stop and prevent tooth decay from spreading deeper into a tooth.
  • To restore a tooth’s functionality (i.e. from worn-down, cracked, or broken teeth).

We Offer Mercury-Free Composite Resin Fillings in Woodland Hills

At Mint Dentistry, we want the best for our patients, which is why our dentists have chosen to use composite resin for all dental fillings. Composite resin is comprised of both acrylic resin and glasslike particles.

Why Composite Resin?
Composite resin fillings offer a handful of benefits over other options:

  • They closely match the natural color of your teeth.
  • They do not contain mercury (amalgam/silver fillings do).
  • They are affordable.
  • They are highly durable, often lasting several years.
  • Less tooth structure is removed when preparing the filling.
  • Less resistant to wear over other options.
  • The bonding process results in 85-95% of the original strength of the tooth.
  • They are easy to be repaired if necessary.
  • They are able to be hardened into place within seconds.

What To Expect Before and During a Dental Filling

Dental fillings are a relatively easy procedure to perform. There is no preparation required outside of the dental office. You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the mouth. Once you are fully numb, the dentist uses a handpiece to remove the decayed area and then shapes the space to prepare for the filling. The filling is then applied to the area and molded down to fit your bite. The entire procedure lasts anywhere from 15-45 minutes and you may drive yourself home afterwards. The anesthetic will take a couple hours to completely wear off.

Our Commitment to Green Dentistry

Mint Dentistry is a Green Dentistry and as a result we do not support or offer mercury-based fillings at our Woodland Hills dental practice. We strive to make each and every one of patient’s visits as comfortable as possible, while also being highly professional and timely.

If you have any questions regarding dental fillings or any other general dentistry services, then please contact our office @ 818.716.0297.