Dental Fillings in Miami

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If you want to improve the appearance of your smile, getting dental fillings is a great way to achieve this goal. Tooth fillings are great ways to repair cavities and other types of decay or damage to your teeth.

There are many beneficial reasons to consider this type of dental care. One reason is that these fillings prevent further decay from happening to your teeth. Fillings can also help improve the structural integrity of your tooth, which is helpful to avoid having it pulled. Lastly, fillings are beneficial because they often increase the self-confidence of the person receiving them.

With that in mind, it makes sense to have questions about dental fillings. Here’s more information about why you might need fillings, dental filling materials, a closer look at this type of dental procedure, and how much they cost.

What Are Common Signs of Cavities?

It’s important to note that certain cavities are visible to the human eye. However, other cavities can either be too small or in areas of your mouth that are impossible for you to see. With that in mind, here are several common signs of cavities:

Feelings of sensitivity to hot and cold beverages or food
Black or brown spots appear on your teeth
Pain when biting down
Frequent bad breath (halitosis)
Constant toothaches

In most cases, cavities become noticeable when they start causing pain. What’s important to note is that not all cavities cause the aforementioned symptoms. It’s possible to have cavities without even knowing they’re on your teeth or experiencing any pain. If you’re unsure if you need cavity fillings, it’s best to schedule an exam with a dental professional.

Dental Filling Options

If you have cavities, you’ll have several filling materials to choose from. These options are amalgam, composite resin, or porcelain fillings. By learning more about the three main types of dental fillings, you’ll have a deeper understanding of which option you might prefer.

Amalgams

Dental professions have been using amalgams or metal fillings for about 150 years. One reason amalgams remain popular is that they’re a durable and effective way to treat cavities. On average, silver fillings can last upwards of 10 years. It’s possible for gold fillings to last a lifetime. With that said, some people don’t want metal fillings because they might be easy for others to notice, depending on where the affected tooth resides.

COMPOSITE RESIN

The most popular option for dental fillings is one made from composite resin. Composite resin is made from an epoxy material containing silica. While not as durable as amalgam fillings, dental professionals can color composite resin to ensure it naturally matches the color of your teeth. Because of this, composite resin fillings are great for those wanting a dental filling that’s hard for others to notice.

PORCELAIN

One of the most popular dental filling materials is porcelain. Like composite resin, porcelain is a material that can make a great-looking match with your natural teeth. Another advantage of porcelain fillings is that they’re long-lasting. A possible disadvantage of porcelain tooth fillings is they’re often more expensive than silver amalgam fillings. Also, in some cases, receiving porcelain cavity fillings might require two dental care appointments.

Tooth Decay Filling Treatment

It’s understandable to want to know what the tooth filling process entails. Generally, it will take a dentist between 20 minutes to an hour to complete a dental filling. The exact time your dental filling procedure takes depends on the size and severity of your cavities.

Another factor regarding the length of your dental visit is how many fillings you need. In certain situations, a dentist might recommend that you receive any needed fillings during a single appointment. This is extremely beneficial for people that don’t like making lots of trips to the dentist’s office.

At the beginning of your procedure, you’ll receive a combination of a numbing gel and a local anesthetic. Typically, it takes a few minutes for this anesthetic to fully numb where you’ll receive your filling. After you’re fully numb, a dental professional will use a small dental drill to remove any decayed or otherwise damaged parts of your tooth. Don’t worry; you shouldn’t feel any pain at all during this process. But, you might feel a slight amount of pressure.

By this point, you might receive a spray of fluoride solution that helps stop further decay from taking place. Now, the dentist will begin applying one of several dental filling materials to the tooth that’s getting worked on. If you receive a composite filling, your dentist will need to use a UV light and dental drill to properly shape this material.

How Much Do Dental Fillings Cost in Miami?

The exact cost of a dental filling in Miami depends on a few factors: which tooth receives a filling, the size of filling you need, and the chosen filling material. Generally speaking, when it comes to the cost of material, silver amalgam fillings are the least expensive option.

Silver amalgam fillings typically cost from $50 to $150 per filling. If you prefer composite resin fillings, you’ll spend anywhere from $90 to $250 per filling. A porcelain or gold composite filling can cost anywhere from $250 to $4,500.

If you want to find out the exact costs of your dental services, it’s worthwhile to schedule a consultation with Avana Smile Design. After doing this, we’ll be able to learn more about your situation and the extent of dental work you require.

Are Dental Fillings Covered by Insurance?

Many patients have dental insurance, which can help cover some or all of how much they spend out-of-pocket for cavity fillings. Exactly how much you’ll pay for dental fillings depends on your insurance provider. Contact your insurance provider for a benefits check and a full breakdown of your out-of-pocket expenses.

Generally, dental insurance covers most or all of the cost of either silver amalgam or composite fillings. Most of the time, dental insurance providers will not cover the full cost of porcelain inlays.

Are you ready to schedule an appointment with dental services for a filling? If so, Avana Smile Design is happy to take care of you. By receiving your tooth fillings at Avana Smile Design, you’ll receive the care you need from a supportive team of dental experts.