At Kennebec Dental Excellence, our dedicated team encourages you to consider the advantages of preventive dentistry in Waterville, Maine.
This includes services such as dental fillings and sealants. Regular visits to the office for cleanings and evaluations are a proactive way to ensure you have a healthy smile.
What Is A Filling?
A filling is a type of restorative dentistry that helps repair and strengthen a tooth damaged by decay or injury. Fillings help prevent further damage from occurring and restore your smile and oral function. Our practice encourages using tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, designed to look like natural tooth enamel to blend in seamlessly.
What Is A Dental Sealant?
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, usually the back molars. Sealants act as barriers against plaque and food particles, helping to prevent cavities and other dental problems.
Sealants are often associated with children, but we find that patients of all ages can benefit from dental sealants.
How Do Fillings & Sealants Help Prevent Dental Problems?
Fillings help restore the structure, strength, and function of teeth in order to protect them from further decay or infection. Sealants act as an extra layer between plaque-causing bacteria and the teeth, providing added protection against cavities. Placing fillings and sealants allows you to reduce the risk of additional problems with your smile.
The Composite Filling Process
When you visit our modern clinic in Winslow, ME, we strive to make every restorative procedure as comfortable, safe, and efficient as possible. If we detect a cavity during your comprehensive examination, we will use precise digital x-rays to determine the exact depth and severity of the bacterial decay. Once the targeted area is gently numbed, the damaged enamel is carefully removed. The remaining tooth structure is then thoroughly sanitized before we apply the tooth-colored composite resin. We cure this material instantly with a specialized light, ensuring you can return to your normal daily activities right after your appointment without any prolonged downtime.
Why We Choose Composite Resin
Older amalgam metal fillings were notorious for expanding with temperature changes and creating dark spots in a patient’s smile. At Kennebec Dental Excellence, we exclusively utilize advanced composite materials because they offer superior clinical and cosmetic benefits.
- The resin bonds directly to the micropores of your tooth, providing excellent structural support.
- Because the material requires less enamel removal, we can preserve more of your natural tooth structure.
- Our team meticulously shade-matches the resin so it is completely indistinguishable from your surrounding teeth.
- The metal-free composition is safe for patients with sensitivities and contains no harmful mercury.
The Quick & Painless Sealant Application
Protecting your molars with dental sealants is one of the easiest preventive measures we offer. The entire application takes only a few minutes per tooth and requires absolutely no drilling or localized anesthesia. First, the chewing surface is thoroughly cleaned and dried. Next, a mild conditioning gel is applied to slightly roughen the enamel, which helps the plastic coating form a strong, durable bond. Finally, the liquid sealant is painted into the deep grooves and hardened. This creates a smooth, protective shield that easily deflects cavity-causing bacteria and makes your daily brushing routine much more effective.
Maintaining Your Restorations & Preventive Care
Both fillings and sealants are highly durable, but they do require consistent care to maximize their lifespan and effectiveness. While the clinical materials themselves cannot decay, the natural tooth structure surrounding them remains vulnerable if plaque is allowed to accumulate. We strongly recommend brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing nightly to keep your entire mouth healthy. During your routine check-ups at our office in Winslow, ME, we will closely inspect your existing restorations and sealants to ensure they remain perfectly intact. If a sealant naturally wears down over time from heavy chewing forces, we can easily and quickly reapply it to ensure your smile remains fully protected against harmful acids.
Call To Request An Appointment At Kennebec Dental Excellence!
Regular visits to Kennebec Dental Excellence are important for your oral health and overall well-being. If you have any signs of decay or damage, our doctors and team may suggest appropriate treatment options such as fillings and sealants to help prevent further issues.
Contact us today to learn more about how fillings and sealants can help protect your smile!